Lok Sabha Question No. 2479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Irregularities under MGNREGS in Punjab
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2479 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2021

## IRREGULARITIES UNDER MGNREGS IN PUNJAB

## 2479.   SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has instituted any enquiry into the irregularities and frauds committed by Punjab Government officials in defraying Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) funds;
- (b) if so, whether any report has been submitted in this regard;
- (c) whether any chargesheet has been prepared for alleged siphoning of crores of funds under fake names and identities by officials and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the action initiated by the Government in this regard;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to file criminal charges against all those involved in this scam and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (f): Yes, Madam. Complaints received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned States/Union Territories (UTs) for taking appropriate action including investigation. In some cases, Central Team, special National Monitors are also sent for investigation into the matter. Steps have been  taken  to  strengthen  transparency  and  accountability  which  include  geo-tagging  of  assets, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), National electronic Fund Management System (Ne-FMS), Aadhaar Based  Payment  System  (ABPS),  Software  for  Estimate  Calculation  using  Rural  rates  for Employment (SECURE) and establishment of independent social audit units and appointment of Ombudspersons in  the  States/UTs.  Also  State/UT  specific  reviews  are  undertaken  from  time  to time.

On receipt of a complaint related to State Government of Punjab, a Central Team under the leadership of senior officer has been deputed for investigation of the complaint. A detailed enquiry report  was  sent  to  the  State  for  Action  Taken  Report  (ATR).  On  recommendation  of  enquiry Committee, State Government has taken several steps such as recovery from responsible officers as well as disciplinary action. First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against Gram Rojgar Sahayak (GRS) by District administration. In this regard, details are given at Annexure.

In  another  complaint  related  to  State  of  Punjab,  NLM  team  was  sent  twice,  but  no significant irregularities were found.

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## Annexure referred in reply to parts (a) to (f) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.2479 dated 09.03.2021

|   S. No. | Concerned Districts   | Enquiry committee report                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Recoveries/ Irregularities reported by Enquiry committee   | Recoveries and action taken        | Pending recovery amount and action to be taken   | Disciplinary action taken                                                                                                                             | Criminal action proposed                                    |
|----------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Faridkot              | Enquiry committee headed by Special Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayats have found following officials/employees responsible for irregularities: 1. Block Development and Panchayats officer, Block Faridkot 2. Assistant Programme officer, Block Faridkot 3. Technical Assistant 4. Gram Rozgar Sahayak      | Rs. 11 lacs                                                | Rs. 11 lacs have been recovered    | Nil                                              | Disciplinary action have been take against two BDPOs. Two yearly increments in of salary of APO, 3 Technical assistants and 2 GRSs have been stopped. | NA                                                          |
|        2 | Sri Mukatsar Sahib    | ADC(d), Bathinda was deputed enquiry officer. Following officials/employees responsible for irregularities: 1. Assistant Programme officer, Block Gidderbaha 2. Gram Rozgar Sahayak                                                                                                                                    | Rs. 31 lacs                                                | Rs. 31 lacs have been recovered    | Nil                                              | NA                                                                                                                                                    | FIR has been lodged against GRS by District administration. |
|        3 | Faridkot              | 4 members committee was formed comprising: 1. Joint Director, Rural Development and Panchayats 2. Executive Engineer, Mandi Board, Faridkot 3. Sub divisional Magistrate, Faridkot 4. IT Manager, NREGA, Faridkot As per report of committee disciplinary action was taken against Gram Rozgar Sahaya, GP Pakhi Kalan. | Rs. 4333/-                                                 | Rs. 4333/- have been recovered and | Nil                                              | Gram Rozgar Sahaya, GP Pakhi Kalan has been terminated from Job after disciplinary action.                                                            | NA                                                          |
|        4 | Sri Mukatsar Sahib    | As per enquiry report recoveries were made from below mentioned employees involved in irregularities: 1. Assistant Programme officer, Block Gidderbaha 2. Technical Assistant, GP Gurusar and Chak Giljewala 3. Gram Rozgar Sahayak, GP Gurusar 4. Gram Rozgar Sahayat, GP Giljewala                                   | Rs. 1.74 lacs                                              | Rs. 1.74 lacs have been recovered  | NIL                                              | Show cause notices have been issued to APO, TAs and GRSs.                                                                                             | NA                                                          |