NPP for probe into misuse of NREGA funds in State

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 4:  Alleging large scale irregularities and bunglings in the implementation of MG-NREGA scheme in the State,  NPP chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh today urged the Union Rural Development Minister to conduct high level probe into all spendings under the scheme by the J&K RDD during the last 2-3 years.
He regretted that in the absence of Ombudsman or any other monitoring authority, the huge funding under NREGA has been plundered with none to take cognizance of the frauds in RDD making headlines in the media every other day. He reminisced that the GoI had issued categoric instructions to all State Govts in 2009 for immediate creation of the institution of Ombudsmen at District level in their respective states so as to check pilferage of rural development and employment guarantee funds provided to the States under the scheme. Singh regretted that while the State J&K has availed thousands of crores under the said national flagship programme, it has failed to initiate any action whatsoever with regard to appointment of ombudsmen in the State.
While sharing his experiences after his tours of the various rural areas said that in the absence of ombudsmen in various Districts, the funds under the MG-NREGA scheme were being siphoned off by unscrupulous officials in connivance with certain vested interests. He said that the flagrant violation of GoI stipulated norms in identification and execution of works, large scale variations in labour-material ratio, extremely poor quality works, fictitious bills, inflated billing for materials used, withdrawal of payments for non-existent works, diversion of funds, non provision of employment to job card holders etc were the general complaints of the public in the rural areas visited by him.
Singh regretted that even the complaints filed by him with helmsmen regarding the blatant violations and other irregularities in NREGA in district Udhampur particularly Ramnagar constituency on the basis of feedback received from the ground, had failed to elicit any response from concerned quarters.
Seeking immediate action for appointment of ombudsmen, Singh cautioned that any further delay would invite strong public reaction with Panthers Party holding protests outside offices of various RDD officers including the minister concerned.