Orissa Minister admits irregularities in MGNREGA

Faced with a barrage of criticism as well as the stricture of the Supreme Court of India over the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Orissa government has finally admitted that there have been irregularities in the scheme implementation.

The state government, however, in its self-defence, has 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 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 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,” minister for Panchayati Raj and Information & Public Relations Prafulla Samal told reporters here.

Samal stated that the state government is prepared to follow any order of the apex court in connection with the implementation of MGNREGA and will cooperate for the CBI probe.

He clarified that the state government is fully committed to effect transparency and accountability in the process of implementation of MGNREGA.

"The State Vigilance has conducted enquiries as well as surprise checks and registered 111 cases involving 239 officials and non-officials. Out of these 239 persons, 26 have been charge sheeted , 47 referred for departmental action, 22 cases finalized and cases against balance 144 persons are pending for investigation,” he added.

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

He stated the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of a report prepared by an NGO (non-governmental organization) called Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS) which contained various allegations of improper utilization of MGNREGA funds in various parts of the country in general and Orissa in particular.

In response to the allegation of total expenditure of Rs 733 crore till 2006-07 out of which Rs 500 crore has been mis-utilized by different functionaries, the Orissa government has filed a reply through four affidavits in July 2009, April 2010, December 2011 and April 2011 but it appears that the view of the state government has not been properly appreciated, he pointed out.

On last Monday, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that it will soon ask the CBI to probe into the irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGA in Orissa.