Allahabad NREGA scam: 17 officials chargesheeted

These facts came up during the physical verification of projects that are being conducted under NREGA in 21 villages of the Trans-Yamuna area.

Acting on the reports of sub-divisional and additional district magistrates,District Magistrate Sanjay Prashad issued chargesheet against the 17 GPVA and ordered the recovery of Rs 1.5 lakh from 10 officials.

“The Chilla village pradhan,in collusion with the GPVA,has overdrawn Rs 21,976 — exceeding the 40 per cent limit on the purchase of construction materials. As per norms,construction materials will be purchased within the 40 per cent of the total fund. The rest are to be kept for wages,” said a source in the office of the chief development officer.

In Tarvai and Chatawa villages,reports of fake job cards,fake payments and unnecessary purchases have surfaced. During verification,it was found that Rs 51,000 was withdrawn in excess for the purchase of construction materials and disbursement of wages,he added.

“I have been receiving complaints about the poor quality of work under NREGA in several areas. When verification was done,several other irregularities came to light. The action of issuing chargesheet and recovery orders has been initiated against the guilty officials and village pradhans. Soon,FIR will be lodged against them,” said the district magistrate.

Chargesheets have been issued to panchayat adhikaris of Chilla,Mahori Reewa,Manakwar,Bikar,Tarvai,Chatwa,Kaniganga,Pakri,Samhan,Bhatdeva,Bhaderwa,Mahewa,Patwa,Diha,Panasa,Devrikala and Naua villages in the Trans-Yamuna area.

“In many cases,people are not given job cards and work is being carried out by machines. In most cases,officials have exceeded the limit of 40 per cent for the purchase of construction materials,which is an offence. In some areas,people are shown having job cards on paper but on verification,it was found that a lesser number have actually been given jobs,” said a senior officer of the rank of ADM.