President of Pradesh Congress Committee Jaydev Jena on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into irregularities in implementation of rural job scheme under MGNREGS.
Union Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has once again brought to the notice of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik the irregularities detected by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the State.
“I demand Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order a CBI probe into the MGNREGS in the State,” Jena said.
The CBI had inquired into the alleged financial irregularities under MGNREGS in six districts of the State following a directive from the Supreme Court and submitted its report to the apex court.
In his May 24 letter, to the Chief Minister, the Union Rural Development Minister has asked the State Government to give urgent attention to the recommendations made by the CAG in its performance audit report.
The irregularities in MGNREGA pertain to diversion of funds, implementation of impermissible works and deficiencies in maintenance of records.
The Ministry had taken exception to the delay in submission of the action taken reports (ATR) on the complaints over implementation of the scheme. Of 12 complaints received from very important persons, the Government has submitted ATRs in 8 cases. Similarly, out of 48 general complaints, ATRs of 12 have been filed, he said. The Union Minister said ATRs are system designed to bring greater accountability in MGNREGA.
Accusing the State Government of committing criminality against the poor by reducing their monthly quota of BPL rice from 35 kg to 25 kg, the OPCC chief said his party will take the Government to the court of law on the issue.
If the State Government is so keen to cover more number of families under the BPL rice scheme, let it bear the additional expenses from the State’s resources, he said.
