Latest news with #MGNREGA
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Rs 7.3 crore MGNREGA scam uncovered in Bharuch amid growing Gujarat rural job scheme crisis
AHMEDABAD: The corruption in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) continues to deepen in Gujarat. Following massive irregularities unearthed in Dahod, Panchmahal, and Narmada districts, Bharuch has now been added to the list exposing yet another multi-crore scam under the Central government's flagship employment scheme for the rural poor. According to a police complaint filed at Bharuch A Division, a staggering Rs 7.30 crore has been siphoned off through fraudulent practices across 56 villages in the talukas of Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot. Officials say the fraud stems from collusion between contractors and government personnel. The First Information Report (FIR), lodged at Bharuch A Division Police Station on Friday, 30 May 2025, names two firms Muralidhar Enterprise and Jalaram Enterprise accused of gross irregularities in executing clay-metal road works across 11 villages, covering projects from January 20, 2023, to the present. Citing a technical audit, the FIR notes, 'In each of the 11 villages, despite road lengths being consistent, the agencies arbitrarily segmented the roads into different parts averaging 236 metres per segment violating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and government-prescribed criteria.'
NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
Gujarat Minister's Son Re-Arrested After Getting Bail In MGNREGA 'Scam'
Dahod, Gujarat: The son of Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad was arrested immediately after he was granted bail in another case connected to MGNREGA works, a senior police official said on Friday. Kiran Khabad, son of Gujarat minister of state for panchayat and agriculture, was arrested two weeks ago for alleged involvement in a Rs 71 crore Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scam unearthed last month in Dahod. "c was arrested on Thursday night after he came out of jail on bail in the first FIR. He was arrested in a fresh case lodged by Dahod police. As per the fresh FIR, some agencies, including Kiran, received payments from the government without completing work allotted to them under MGNREGA," said Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdishsinh Bhandari. As per the fresh FIR lodged by Dahod 'B' division police on Thursday evening against agency owners and government officials, payment of Rs 18.41 lakh has been made to agencies despite incomplete work carried out in Lavaria village of Dahod under MGNREGA. Kiran was arrested along with his brother Balvant two weeks ago after the Dahod police registered an FIR of cheating, forgery and breach of trust against unidentified persons, including government employees, following the unearthing of a Rs 71 crore scam by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). As per the FIR, they had not completed the assigned work or supplied the required materials between 2021 and 2024 but claimed payments by submitting bogus work completion certificates and forged documents. According to police, Balvant and Kiran are proprietors of agencies implicated in fraudulent MGNREGA projects carried out in the Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur talukas of Dahod district. After their remand ended, both of them were sent to judicial custody and subsequently granted bail by a local court on Thursday.
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Demand for Rs 2 Lakh Crore Allocation to MGNREGA: Agri Workers' Union Protests in Narayanpet
MGNREGA, Telangana Agricultural Workers Union, rural employment, protest, ₹2 lakh crore demand, NarayanpetNarayanpet: The Telangana Agricultural Workers' Union and Rythu Sangham have demanded that the Central Government allocate ₹2 lakh crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). This demand was voiced during a protest held at the Municipal Park in Narayanpet, led by district vice-president Shivakumar, following a call from the state committee. A memorandum with demands was submitted to the District Collector. Speaking at the protest, union district secretary Gopal and Rythu Sangham district president Anjilayya criticised the central government, accusing it of neglecting the welfare of poor labourers and indulging in divisive politics that mislead the public. They pointed out that last year, the Centre spent ₹90,000 crore on rural employment, but instead of increasing the allocation this year, it has reduced it to ₹86,000 crore. "Is this fair?" they questioned. The unions also highlighted the rising number of poor workers in urban areas, as villages surrounding towns and cities are merged into urban limits. Since many of these workers depend on agricultural and wage labour, the unions demanded the extension of the employment guarantee scheme to urban areas as well. Key demands include: Issuing job cards to all eligible labourers. Providing all necessary tools and materials at worksites. Ensuring basic facilities and a daily wage of ₹600. Increasing the workdays under the scheme to 200 per year, with weekly payments. Allocating ₹2 lakh crore annually to the scheme for proper implementation. The unions also demanded: Inclusion of MGNREGA workers in all state government welfare schemes. Increasing the grant for Indiramma housing scheme (merged with PMAY) to ₹10 lakh. Free medical treatment for workers injured at worksites. ₹10 lakh compensation for accidental deaths at worksites. Unemployment allowance for those unable to find work. They warned that if these demands are not met, they will intensify their agitation, forcing the government to address the issues of this large workforce. The protest saw participation from union leaders Balappa, Saibaba, Ellappa, Renamma, Kishtappa, Govind, Hanmanthu, SFI district secretary Pavan, Mahesh, and several workers.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
MGNREGA ‘scam': Kiran Khabad sent to seven days in police custody
A local court in Dahod on Friday remanded Kiran Khabad — son of Gujarat Minister of State for Panchayat and Agriculture, Bachubhai Khabad — to seven days in police custody in an alleged scam under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Lavaria village of Devgadh Baria taluka, for which a second FIR was lodged against him on Thursday afternoon based on the complaint of the District Rural Development Authority (DRDA). Kiran and his brother Balvantsinh were earlier arrested in an alleged scam of Rs 71 crore in works carried out under the MGNREGA in two villages in Devgadh Baria and one in Dhanpur taluka — from where the Khabads hail. Dahod district Deputy Superintendent of Police Jagdishsinh Bhandari told The Indian Express that the police had sought a remand of 14 days to conduct an investigation into the second FIR lodged in the alleged scam of about Rs 18.41 lakh in works done under MGNREGA, from January 2021 to December 2024. 'We sought the remand on the ground that we need to probe the transactions involved, who made the bills and who passed them. Who are the government officers involved in the scam and who benefited from the scam. We had sought a 14 days remand but the court granted a remand of seven days,' Bhandari told this newspaper. The FIR, lodged by in-charge DRDA Director SC Bhambholiya, states, 'After inspecting the site of various works in Lavaria village, it was found that out of the total 79 works, 21 had not been completed but bills worth Rs 18.41 lakh towards material and labour were cleared… The same was done in connivance with government officials by unauthorised agencies that did not participate in the tender process or emerge as the L1 bidder in the MGNREGA projects.' L1 bidder submits the lowest bid price in a procurement process. Kiran had been taken into custody from outside Dahod sub-jail, following his release on regular bail on Thursday in the first FIR of the alleged scam of Rs 71 crore. While his older brother Balvantsinh was allowed to leave from the sub-jail as per the conditions of the bail, Kiran was formally arrested at Dahod B-Division police station late on Thursday evening.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Over 1.5L MGNREGA workers in Haveri await Rs 16 crore pending wages
Haveri: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme, designed to provide employment opportunities in rural areas, has become essential for many workers. However, delayed wage payments have created significant financial difficulties for labourers. Haveri district is currently owed approximately Rs 16 crore in MGNREGA wages from the Centre. MGNREGA provides employment to rural workers within their villages. The scheme requires gram panchayats to employ registered labourers with job cards for local projects after obtaining zilla panchayat approval. The daily wage rate, previously Rs 349, was increased to Rs 370, with direct bank transfers to workers' accounts. However, workers in Haveri district are experiencing financial hardship due to payment delays. The workers, who contribute significantly to MGNREGA projects, educational infrastructure, and rural development across the state, have been struggling to manage daily expenses due to delayed wages. While the scheme has helped reduce migration for employment, the payment delays are undermining its effectiveness, with over 1,50,000 district workers awaiting payment. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The MG EOFY Sale is on now! MG Motor Australia Get Offer Undo MGNREGA guidelines stipulate wage payment within 15 days of work completion. Workers are entitled to compensation for delayed payments, calculated at 0.05% of unpaid wages per day beyond the 15-day period after muster roll closure. The state govt bears responsibility for this compensation. "The PDO assured us that we will be paid wages within 15 days after the completion of work. However, we have not received our wages even after a month. It has become difficult for us to sustain our livelihood. Moreover, we do not know how to visit offices to get our wages. The department concerned should pay our wages within the prescribed period," demanded Kavita Dundasi, who worked under the scheme in Hirekerur taluk. Hanumantappa Byadagi, a resident of Kadaramundalagi who worked under the scheme, expressed his displeasure. He said, "Earlier, we migrated from other areas to get jobs, but after MGNREGA, we settled in our village because we got busy with the works. However, we are once again facing financial hardship due to the delay in our wages, making it difficult to pay school fees, medical expenses, and others. Officers have not taken responsibility and say that the govt needs to release funds. " When contacted, Ruchi Bindal, CEO, zilla panchayat, Haveri, stated that the funds required to release from the Union govt. The balance wages will be credited directly to the workers' accounts. "The grant will be released within a week. No need to panic," she assured. "More than 1.5 lakh workers need to be paid approximately Rs 16 crore in pending wages since April 17. These labourers have been facing financial difficulties to sustain their livelihood. The govt should release grants for the welfare of the scheme," said SD Baligar, CEO, Vanasiri Rural Development Society (NGO), Ranebennur.
