CBI to probe MGNREGA irregularities in six districts

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today informed the Supreme Court of India that it will probe into the irregularities in the implementation of the of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in six districts of the state.

The six districts where the CBI probe will be conducted are Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput and Nabarangpur.

This follows the consent of the Orissa government for a CBI probe into the scheme implementation in 100 villages in these six districts.

The irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA was brought to the fore by an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) called Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS), which had conducted the survey and leveled allegations of improper utilization of MGNREGA funds. The NGO had alleged that around Rs 500 crore meant for scheme implementation was mis-utilized by different functionaries of the state government.

The apex court had earlier favoured a Central probe into the diversion of funds and non-implementation of the rural employment scheme in Orissa. It had observed that the funds meant for the scheme were not reaching the intended beneficiaries.

The state minister for Panchayati Raj and Information & Public Relations Prafulla Samal had recently admitted irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA.

The state government, however, in its self-defence, had stated that corrective steps have been taken and action has been initiated against the errant government officials and non-officials.

"Under Section-25 of MGNREGA Act, 161 complaints have been registered and fines to the tune of Rs 1.30 lakh have been collected from the defaulting officials and non-officials. In addition, 263 proceedings have been initiated against the block development officers, assistant engineers, junior engineers as well as village level workers and appropriate action has been taken. In addition, 41 criminal cases involving 47 persons have also been initiated against different functionaries and recovery to the tune of Rs 17.03 lakh has been made from 146 defaulting officials and non-officials", the minister had told reporters earlier last month.

The pace of expenditure has shown a steep rise and the state has been able to spend Rs 1,480 crore under MGNREGA by the end of March 2011, the minister claimed.