The Central Government on Friday admitted that there is widespread corruption in MGNREGA in Gujarat.
This was in response to a question asked by Congress MP, Shaktisih Gohil, in the Rajya Sabha.
Later in a press release, Gohil quoted the government saying that three government officers had to file an FIR in Dahod. He further quoted the government saying that 10 teams are being formed to investigate the matter.
The Congress Rajya Sabha MP further said when the Congress government was in power, it was concerned about providing complete relief to the needy people by bringing the MGNREGA law with the guarantee of employment. Instead of providing money to the needy people through MGNREGA, the BJP has started corruption worth crores of rupees, he alleged.
Two sons of sitting minister of state for education, Bachubhai Khabad, are allegedly involved in the scam. They were arrested and later released on bail. The scam runs into over Rs 70 crore.
Gohil explained how various works have been carried out on the land belonging to Khabad. He pointed out that several work orders were given on the pieces of land owned by him. How does he still continue to remain a minister, Gohil questioned.
The law of MGNREGA is clear and it is clearly written in Schedule-1 that if a small work is to be done on some private land, that person should be an SC, ST or small marginal farmer, that person should also be a laborer with a job card, none of this has been followed, the Congress MP pointed out.
Why not investigate if crores of rupees are being spent in the name of material supply by the two sons of the minister, and GST is not even paid, Gohil further asked.
According to Gohil, the government also admitted that there is widespread corruption in Jambughoda. The MGNREGA law clearly states that a standard of 60-40 per cent should be maintained in material and employment. This standard has not been maintained in Jambughoda, he held.
Crores of rupees have been paid in the name of material supply instead of what was paid to the laborers.
The Congress MP has demanded strict action against the corrupt.
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