Centre stops aid to Jharkhand on MGNREGA projects for irregularities

On the basis of fact finding report from the Union rural development secretary B K Sinha on rampant corruption and irregularities in operation of rural job schemes in several districts in Jharkhand under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA), the Centre has discontinued in releasing funds to seven districts in the state in the current financial year 2011-12.

MGNREGA commissioner in Jharkhand A K Singh confirmed that seven districts – Latehar, Bokaro, Ranchi, Chatra, Ramgarh, Godda and Hazaribag were not received financial aid this year from the Centre as a result of Union Secretary’s fact finding report.

The Union secretary is his report to Centre had made specific charge on the existence of mafia nexuses in the functioning of MGNREGA projects in the state, resulting murders of two labourers recently in Latehar and Bokara districts in the state.

The Union secretary further said the state government used to engage contractors to undertake the MGNREGS projects in contravention of rules and workers’ rights. The contractors were suspected of enjoying strong ties with the administration. The labourers were also manhandled by the contractors over payment of wages.

In consequence of Union secretary’s report, the state government decided to appoint district-level ombudsmen to ensure effective implementation of the MGNREGS projects and deal with the menace of corruption which was brought in the report of the Union secretary.

The state has already appointed three ombudsmen last month and initiated further process to fill-up the remaining posts of ombudsmen for which a committee headed by the state’s chief secretary S K Chaudhary and two representatives from the Centre was set up.