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| Misappropriation of funds under MGNREGA goes unnoticed in J&K | | | Bashir Assad
Jammu, Feb20: Though the Central Government is contemplating for second generation reforms in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA and tackle shortcomings in the implementation of the Job Scheme effectively, large scale frauds and mismanagement in the implementation of the scheme and gross violation of the guidelines for implementation of the scheme go unnoticed in Jammu and Kashmir. And interestingly to cover up the large scale bungling, the Rural Development Department with a tacit understanding is delay dallying the appointment of Social Audit Mechanism (SAM) in Gram Panchayats in accordance to the guidelines for implementation of the scheme in a transparent manner.
In absence of social audit in Gram Panchayats ( mandatory once in six months under MGNREGA), hundreds of crores of rupees under semi-skilled and material component go unaccounted which is drawn on false vouchers by the department.
It merits a mention here that under MGNREGA 60% of the amount is to be utilized as wage component under unskilled category for approved items of works subject to the conditions laid down in the MGNREGA Guidelines. No deviation from the provisions of the Guidelines is permissible.
However, the expenditure on implementation of MGNREGA with regard to 40% material component which also includes wages of skilled and semi-skilled labour (to be shared on 75:25 basis between the Centre and the State Government respectively), goes unaccounted.
In Kashmir division alone, the officials figures say that Rs 198.92 crore out of a total outlay of Rs 259.67 crore has been spent under MGNREGA during the current year which means that around Rs 80 crores went to the pockets of Rural Development Department officials who according to inner sources share the embezzled funds in a chain from top to bottom.
Sources further said that there is no account of huge sums released under material component as the same is being withdrawn on fraud vouchers by the officials of the department and if the government sanctions appointment of Social Audit Committee in accordance to the MGNREGA guidelines, the largest ever scam will be unearthed in Rural Development Department.
Though the wages component under unskilled category which constitutes 60% of the total outlay, is released through invoices or cheqeus against the job cards issued under the scheme, therefore lessening the chances of misappropriation but with the connivance of the job card holder, the material component which is 40% of the total remain unchecked.
It merits a mention here that Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has written a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on November 17 last year and sought establishing of an independent organization under the auspices of the state Rural Development to facilitate conduct of social audit in MGNREGA.
Ramesh had reportedly told Omar that summary of report from social audit should be placed in the legislature for discussion.
Sources said URD ministry had asked the J&K government to initiate the project on pilot basis in few blocks before March 2012. "Following the successful experience, the project could be implemented in the State fully," they said.
They said GoI has asked J&K government to constitute a committee and appoint an official as director of social audit within a month. "However, the Rural Development Department has failed to do so despite the fact that the state cabinet has already approved the constitution of SAM." they said.
Sources said the proposal for the state unit and pilot social audit has also not been sent to URD, for which the deadline was till December end last year. In some RD Blocks, the funds under MGNREGA are being withdrawn without physical verification of the works shown on papers, even the funds meant for paying dues to MGNERGA labourers have not been mismanaged.
In Doda district alone, most of the works executed during the year 2010-2011 are only on papers while the funds have been withdrawn from the exchequer, sources said.
However, there was no body available from the department to comment on the issue on Monday because of the holiday on eve of Maha Shivratri. |
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