CBI detects irregularities in MGNREGA work

Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing irregularities in the implementation of the MGNREGA programme in the state has found out irregularities in 10 projects in six districts, admitted the Panchayatiraj Minister Maheswar Mohanty today in the assembly. The minister in his reply to an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition said that the CBI had probed 36 projects in six districts. The minister however claimed that the investigating agency has not found irregularities regarding allegations of fake job cards.

The Panchayatiraj Minister Maheswar Mohanty clarified in the house that the premier investigating agency of the nation has suggested about the necessity of expanding the scope of the investigation to other districts where projects have been implemented under the MGNREGA scheme. The Minister Maheswar Mohanty assured the house that action would be initiated against the then Nuapada district collector if the Supreme Court gave the direction in this regard. The CBI report pointed out that the Nuapada collector had abused MGNREGA funds worth Rs 2.54 lakhs in an horticulture project.

The entire Opposition demanded that the scope of the MGNREGA investigation by the agency should be expanded to all the 30 districts in the state instead of only six districts. The Opposition accused that there were large scale bunglings of MGNREGA funds in the state due to alleged nexus between government employees and contractors. However, the Congress legislators not satisfied with the minister`s reply staged walk out in protest.