CBI to probe alleged fund diversion in Orissa under MGNREGA

The government has finally decided to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities by the Orissa government in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

“The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that it will soon ask the CBI to probe into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA in Orissa. The consent to have a CBI probe has been given by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaisingh today informed a bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia.

Earlier on December 16 last year, the Supreme Court had issued a showcause notice to the Orissa government asking as to why a CBI probe should not be ordered into the alleged diversion of funds meant for implementation of MGNREGA.

It had directed the chief secretary of Orissa and additional secretary of the rural development ministry to file a compliance report on the implementation of guidelines within three weeks.

The apex court had also asked them to file their response in the same affidavit about the CBI probe. The bench had asked the Centre and the Orissa government to inform the extent of fund released to Orissa between 2006 and 2010.

It also wanted to know whether utilisation certificate for the fund was given by the Orissa government to the Centre or not.

Subsequently, the Orissa government, on January 5 this year, had filed a 500-page response in the Supreme Court.

The state government, in its response, had stated that action has been taken against around 600 errant officials in connection with the implementation of this scheme.