Centre seeks details from Orissa on NREGS fund misuse

The Centre has sought a detailed report from the Orissa Government over alleged misappropriation of funds provided under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

The Centre has sought a detailed report from the Orissa Government over alleged misappropriation of funds provided under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). The report is to be submitted within a

fortnight.

The Centre’s directive came in the wake of the findings of the Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS), an independent organisation, which said more than Rs 500 crore out of the Rs 733 crore fund provided by the Centre was either siphoned off or misappropriated by officials during the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in 2006-7.

Following the publication of the survey report by the CEFS, the Centre asked the state Government to inquire into the allegations made in the report. The survey report was published a month ago but the state Government is yet to submit its reply.

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Recently, in a communique to Panchayati Raj Secretary R N Das, Joint Secretary of Rural Development Ministry Anita Sharma said, “In view of the seriousness of the matter, the report should be sent within a fortnight.”

The report sent should also clearly indicate the name and designation of the officers who probed the matter, she added.

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