Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Thursday that a central team will investigate numerous complaints regarding alleged irregularities and fake job cards in Punjab under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). During his day-long visit to the state, Chouhan also countered the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's allegations about the non-release of flood-relief funds.
Flood Relief Funds: Centre and State at Odds
Addressing reporters in Jalandhar, the Union Minister firmly rejected the Punjab government's accusation that it had not received any flood relief. Chouhan stated that out of a total package of Rs 1,600 crore announced for flood-affected Punjab, an amount of Rs 480 crore had already been released by the central government. He assured that the remaining funds would also be provided in due course.
However, the Punjab government, represented by Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, immediately contested this claim. The state maintains that it has not received a single penny from the central government's Rs 1,600-crore flood package. This conflicting narrative highlights the ongoing financial tussle between the Centre and the state.
Deep Dive into MGNREGA Complaints
Chouhan revealed that he reviewed the implementation of the MGNREGA scheme at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Jalandhar, where workers and representatives presented a litany of issues. The complaints, which originated from several districts including Muktsar and Fazilka, pointed to serious malpractices.
The minister detailed specific grievances, such as the existence of fake job cards, completion of works without any actual engagement of labour, and labourers being denied work despite repeated requests. A significant allegation was that tasks meant for MGNREGA beneficiaries were being executed by contractors using machinery, which is a direct violation of the scheme's guidelines.
"One complaint said that a canal was shown as cleaned on paper and the money was spent, but in reality no cleaning was done," Chouhan shared with the press. He emphasized, "MGNREGA funds are meant for labourers, not contractors. Anyone who has misused this money will be punished."
Chouhan informed that the Centre has provided over Rs 6,000 crore to Punjab under MGNREGA in recent years, including Rs 842 crore in the current year alone. Despite this substantial funding, he noted that genuine labourers are often not getting work. He appealed to the state government to conduct its own thorough investigation, parallel to the central probe that will be initiated.
Political Allegations and State's Response
The push for an inquiry gained momentum when Sukhwinder Singh Kaka Kamboj, president of the BJP's Fazilka unit, submitted a detailed complaint to Chouhan in Moga. The complaint alleged widespread violations of MGNREGA norms, accusing AAP leaders of colluding with officials to award works to contractors instead of local labourers.
In response, Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that many of the complaints cited by the Union Minister predate the current state government. "We are also investigating these complaints," Sond said, adding that in the past six months, the state government has suspended or dismissed several officials involved in corrupt practices, attached their properties, and recovered Rs 2 crore.
Sond also raised the issue of wage disparity, noting that MGNREGA workers in Haryana receive Rs 400 per day, while those in Punjab get only Rs 346. He said Chouhan agreed that this should be corrected and assured equal wages. Furthermore, Sond highlighted that Rs 250 crore related to material payments under MGNREGA is still pending with the Centre.
Other Key Announcements and Reviews
During his visit, the Union Minister made several other significant announcements and reviewed key central schemes:
- Increased MGNREGA Workdays: Acknowledging the extensive flooding and loss of livelihood, the Centre has increased the number of assured workdays under MGNREGA in Punjab from 100 to 150 per family to ensure economic security.
- Praise for Reduced Farm Fires: Chouhan lauded Punjab for achieving an "85 per cent reduction in farm fires," describing it as a model for the entire country that improves soil quality and reduces fertilizer dependency.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): He reviewed the progress of housing approvals, noting that while approvals for 30,000 flood-damaged houses have been issued, 6,000 are still pending with the state government. He urged for immediate action, stressing that approvals should not be delayed.
- Support for Farmers and Women: Chouhan announced that the Centre has approved Rs 74 crore for free wheat seeds for farmers and arranged for 12,500 quintals of berseem seed. He also mentioned a special package for the nearly five lakh women associated with self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to help them continue their livelihood activities post-floods.
The visit and the subsequent announcements set the stage for increased scrutiny of rural development schemes in Punjab, with both the central and state governments presenting contrasting narratives on fund allocation and implementation.
