
Gujarat minister's son on run arrested over MGNREGS irregularities
Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad's son, Balvant Khabad, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in irregularities worth ₹71 crore in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) scheme in Dahod, a police officer said.
The arrest followed a probe into fraudulent activities by contracted agencies that received government payments without completing work or supplying goods.
'Dahod Police have arrested Bachubhai Khabad's son, Balvant Khabad, and the then TDO [Taluka development officer] Darshan Patel in connection with the MGNREGA scam in the district. We arrested five persons earlier,' said deputy police superintendent Jagdishsinh Bhandari on Saturday.
The irregularities were unearthed in MNREGA projects in Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur talukas of the tribal-dominated Dahod district. Authorities identified 35 government agencies for scrutiny. Seven people, including government officials, have been arrested so far in the case.
The irregularities came to light this year. The district rural development authority conducted an inquiry into the matter after representations about the irregularities.
A second police officer described the irregularities as a well-orchestrated fraud involving fictitious projects and forged documents. He added that the investigations were going on to uncover their full scope.
Between January 2021 and December 2024, 35 contracted agencies allegedly siphoned off ₹71 crore by producing fake work completion certificates and invoices.
Balvant Khabad owns one of these agencies, Shri Raj Construction. His brother, Kiran Khabad, who is linked to another firm, Shri Raj Traders, is absconding, police said.
The two firms received money even as they did not win the bids for the projects. Shri Raj Construction allegedly received approximately ₹82 lakh for the supply of goods between January 2021 and December 2024, according to the First Information Report filed in the case, a copy of which HT has seen. Kiran Khabad's firm was allegedly paid nearly ₹30 crore.
Balwant and Kiran Khabad applied for anticipatory bail in a Dahod court but later withdrew their petitions. They were evading arrest before Balwant Khabad was caught.
Balwant Khabad and Patel were presented in a Dahod court and were remanded to police custody for five days. Police were investigating the involvement of more agencies and officials.
Minister Bachubhai Khabad was yet to comment on his son's arrest.
Gujarat Congress raised concerns about the MGNREGS irregularities in Dahod during the Gujarat assembly session on March 5. Congress leader Amit Chavda raised the issue, alleging corruption worth over ₹100 crore. He demanded an investigation.
The state government said a Lokpal committee probe was going on, and action would follow its completion.
Chavda on Saturday slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its handling of the issue. He said the MGNREGS fraud was part of 'widespread corruption' and criticised the government for allowing firms linked to the Khabad family to receive unchecked payments for years. He demanded a Special Investigation Team probe, alleging that the current investigation was insufficient and that 'bigger names' could emerge with a deeper inquiry.
A Gujarat BJP spokesperson refused to comment on the matter.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Pollachi North BDO to file case against former panchayat president for embezzlement
The collector has also directed the AD to collect Rs 6.53 lakh from the former panchayat president, as Ponnusamy did not carry out check dam construction works at the groves of two residents Nagaraj and Nithyananthan in the panchayat, sources added. Ponnusamy also released a daily wage of Rs 1.07 lakh to workers, while purchasing raw materials worth Rs 4.50 lakh by creating fake documents. The collector's order mentions that the amount was handed over to a vendor named Nataraj, but he has repaid Rs 2.09 lakh to the government. "It is the duty of the panchayat president to get approval for work being carried out under the MGNREGS during gram sabha meetings and subsequently, get administrative sanction from the district collector. The president should also maintain a proper register related to workers' attendance and release of wages. However, the explanation given by Ponnusamy after misappropriation is not acceptable," said the collector's order further said.


The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Ryots' Commission chairman urges Centre to link NREGS with farm operations
HYDERABAD Telangana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Commission chairman M. Kodanda Reddy has urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to link the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with agricultural work to support small and marginal farmers. In a letter handed over personally during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Hyderabad on Monday, said over 85% of India's farmers fall into the small and marginal category and face challenges like high input costs, lack of mechanisation and labour shortages during peak seasons. who held the agriculture portfolio in the Congress governments in combined Andhra Pradesh during 1989-94, said integrating MGNREGS with farming could ease the labour cost burden and ensure timely operations such as sowing, weeding, harvesting and post-harvest activities. The move would also provide meaningful employment and skill development for MGNREGS workers, while promoting small tools and suitable mechanisation through a dedicated scheme. In a separate letter, he requested Central funding for the revival of Telangana's minor irrigation tanks under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (per drop more crop), the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, or a special package for restoration of water bodies. Minister for Agriculture Tummala Nageswara Rao also submitted letters to the Union Minister, seeking a regional office of the Coconut Development Board in Telangana, empanelment of oil palm nursery suppliers, a minimum price of ₹25,000 per tonne for oil palm bunches, a review of import duty cuts on crude edible oil and ₹100 crore for the State's horticultural university.


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan says Centre not distributing charity to Himachal
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Monday said that the central govt is not distributing charity to Himachal Pradesh, but the state is only getting its share, like all other 29 states of the country. Responding to the statements made by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Suresh Kashyap, and others that the central govt is providing sufficient funds to Himachal, the industries minister clarified that if Himachal is getting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, or MGNREGA, it is the right of the state. "It is not the case that Himachal started getting these funds only when the BJP came to power in the Centre. Himachal used to get the same funds even when the previous govt was at the Centre as per the set pattern," he added. The minister, however, accused the central govt of not releasing funds to the state govt, especially around Rs 10,000 crore under the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), though the state govt sent the claims to the Centre in the financial year 2023-24. He claimed that the central govt is indirectly benefiting other states ruled by the BJP or its allies. Chauhan questioned the BJP leadership in Himachal about whether they got any funds or schemes sanctioned for the hill state other than what the state is getting under the existing schemes. The cabinet minister also held former chief minister and current leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, as well as the previous BJP govt, responsible for putting Himachal into a financial mess and a vicious cycle of loans. MSID:: 121728401 413 |