CBI books 10 for MGNREGS fraud

In its charge sheet filed before a Special CBI judge in Guwahati, the agency has accused the then Post Master of Algapur branch post office, a zila parishad member, a junior engineer and a gram panchayat secretary besides six private individuals of alleged siphonning of money under MGNREGS using fake job cards.

The spokesperson said the accused have been booked on charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery and under Section 13(2) read with 13 (1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for fraudulently and dishonestly opening of 185 Post Office Saving Bank accounts in the names of fictitious job card holders under MGNREGS.

"The accused subsequently withdrew the credited amount released by the government towards payment of wages from the respective SB accounts, and misappropriated the entire fund of Rs 16.93 lakh during the year 2009-11, without actually executing the works at sites," the official said.