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NREG Scheme hit by corruption, says B.K. Chandrashekar

B.K. Chandrashekar

Chitradurga: Chairman of the Legislative Council B.K. Chandrashekar has said corruption and mismanagement has prevented the benefits of the ambitious National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) from reaching the people.

Mr. Chandrashekar, who is on a tour to review the implementation of the scheme, told presspersons here on Friday that during his visit to Davangere, he had found flaws in the implementation of the scheme.

Elaborating on his findings, he said that in some places false names had been included in the muster roll and fake job cards had been created to embezzle money. “Although I have visited only a few places, I have realised that such fraudulent practices are being carried out in all places where the scheme has been introduced,” he said.

He said that although a few corrupt officials had been suspended, mere suspension was not enough, because even influential people were involved in the misuse of the scheme. “People should also ensure that such an ambitious project formulated for the welfare of the poor should benefit deserving people,” he said.

When his attention was drawn to the use of machinery in the scheme, he said it was a serious problem and instructed zilla panchayat chief executive officer H.P. Prakash and Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas to prevent such practices.

Mr. Biswas said that there was a provision that allowed machinery to be used in up to 40 per cent of the projects initiated. He said strict action would be taken against those violating the rules.

On allegations that in many places job cards had not been created, he said that since the scheme was demand oriented, the people themselves should come forward seeking employment. He said village-level meetings should be held to educate the people about the scheme.

Mr. Prakash said that last year there were 1.75 lakh job-card holders in the district. This year, owing to good rainfall, more projects could be taken up.

To a question, Mr. Chandrashekar defended the scheme’s daily wage of Rs. 74, stating that it was meant only for unemployed people. “There is nothing wrong if people get better pay for work elsewhere,” he said.

The Congress leader chose not to comment on the return of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna to State politics. He only said any party leader interested in strengthening the State Congress unit was welcome.

Zilla panchayat president Geeta Nandini Gowda and the former MLA A.V. Umapati were present.

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