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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress alleges larger scam in NREGA, Nal Se Jal schemes
Vadodara: The Congress party has alleged that there is a much larger scam in the NREGA scheme in Dahod district. It said that many representations were received from across the district about irregularities in NREGA and the Nal Se Jal schemes. A 'Janmanch' programme was held in Dahod district by the Congress on Tuesday, while an investigation is underway in the Rs 71 crore NREGA scam . The Congress party earlier raised the issue during the assembly session and prepared a report on the scam. Leader of opposition Amit Chavda , who was following up on the scam, was present during the programme in Dahod. Chavda said the scam was not limited to Devgadhbaria and Dhanpur talukas, where the minister's sons were involved. He said representations received during the programme on Wednesday revealed that similar scams took place at other places too. He added that there were irregularities in the Nal Se Jal scheme as well. He said he has received evidence in this regard. Chavda said that the minister of state for panchayats and agriculture Bachu Khabad had claimed that the Congress was levelling allegations against him. "An offence was registered, the police conducted investigations, and the court also granted remand. If we were wrong, why is this happening? If the govt does not restrain itself, more names will crop up," said Chavda.
Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
14 killed as rain, thunderstorm hit Gujarat; Congress alleges inaction by govt, demands compensation
Fourteen people, including four women, have been killed as unseasonal rain and thunderstorm hit Gujarat till Tuesday morning. Mahuva in Bhavnagar recorded 93 mm of rainfall, the highest in the state, as unseasonal showers lashed a total of 77 talukas. As per data shared by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Gandhinagar, two deaths were reported in Ahmedabad, three in Vadodara, four in Kheda, and two each in Aravalli and Dahod. 'While three died due to lightning, four were killed as trees were uprooted. Three others died in house and wall collapse, and two dies after hoarding fell on them,' SEOC officials said. Among the worst-hit districts on Tuesday were Amreli, Rajkot, Dang, Botad, Bhavnagar, Tapi, Dahod, Junagadh and Surendranagar. For Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of severe thunderstorm with lightning and surface wind at 60- 70 kmph, accompanied by moderate to heavy rain in the districts of Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Vadodara, Narmada, Bharuch and Surat, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Botad and Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Chhota Udepur, Dang, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Dwarka, and Gir Somnath. Other centres, which received rainfall were Lathi (61 mm), Lilia (49 mm) and Amreli (47 mm), Savarkundla (24 mm), Babra (36 mm). Gondal in Rajkot recorded 33 mm rainfall, followed by Nakhatrana in Kutch and Mahuva in Surat (22 mm), Vaghai in Dang and Jesar in Bhavnagar recevied 21 mm, while Jasdan and Vinchhiya in Rajkot received 20 mm. The maximum temperatures across the state dropped by 3-8 degrees. The highest maximum temperature was recorded at Rajkot and Porbandar, at 34.5 degree Celsius. Ahmedabad recorded 33.7 degrees, Gandhinagar 33.4 degrees, Vadodara 32.4, Bhuj 33.6, Naliya 32.8, Bhavnagar 32.5, Surat 32.2 and Surendranagar 32.7 degree Celsius. As the state government is still assessing the losses, Congress has hit out at it for alleged inaction. Leader of Congress Legislative Party, Amit Chavda, on Tuesday submitted a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, requesting immediate financial assistance. 'As many as 14 people have died due to heavy rain in the state, which is a very tragic. Their families are in an unbearable situation. So the government should immediately announce an assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased. All the injured should also get treatment at the government's expense. We demand that a survey of agricultural losses be conducted in all the areas where there has been extensive damage to agriculture and farmers have been devastated. A special package should be announced. In many places, there has been damage to property and we demand that the government should survey and make arrangements for assistance to those who have suffered damage to their property,' Chavda said. Chavda also said that despite forecasts of rain, strong winds, and thunderstorm, the state government failed to take precautions. He said people should have been warned and efforts should have been made to create awareness and prevent casualties. 'It is sad that the government did not prepare or warn people, due to which 14 people died. Agricultural crops have been extensively damaged. There has been a major effect on mango cultivation. In many areas, farmers had come to markets to sell their produce, but those were damaged too,' Chavda also said. 'Instead of the government announcing a toll-free number after a storm or unseasonal rain, if it prepares in advance, makes the system sound, and makes people aware, then there will be no casualty… we request the government to take precautions in future,' he added.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DRDA files Rs 71cr scam complaint in MGNREGA projects in Dahod
Vadodara: The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Dahod has filed a police complaint over a scam amounting to at least Rs 71 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), involving two talukas in the district. The offence alleges large-scale irregularities, including the procurement of materials from unauthorised vendors and falsification of completed work records. The complaint was lodged by Dahod district DRDA director BM Patel following an internal inquiry that uncovered the irregularities. The district panchayat had directed the DRDA to investigate the matter twice—first in Jan and again in March. The issue gained traction after Congress Legislative Party leader Amit Chavda raised it in the state assembly in March, prompting the govt to promise a formal investigation. According to Patel's disclosure, materials worth Rs 60.9 lakh were procured from unauthorised vendors in Devgadh Baria taluka , while another Rs 10.1 lakh worth of materials were sourced similarly in Dhanpur taluka. Under the MGNREGA procurement policy, materials must be purchased from vendors selected through a competitive bidding process, with contracts awarded to those offering the lowest rates. However, vendors outside this process not only supplied materials but also received payment for their bills. The scam goes beyond material procurement. Investigations revealed that completion certificates were issued for roadworks that were either incomplete or not executed at all. Of the 60.6 km of road construction planned under the scheme, only 28.7 km has actually been completed on the ground. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The irregularities have surfaced specifically in Duva and Redhana villages of Devgadh Baria taluka and Simamoi village in Dhanpur taluka. While the FIR does not name specific individuals, it holds accountable those heading the agencies that misappropriated funds and govt officials who failed in their duties. The Congress party, however, has alleged that a minister's son is involved in the scam.
