GK IMPACT | Govt orders inquiry into MGNREGA job card scam in Anantnag

Taking cognisance of a report published in Greater Kashmir, the Government on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into MGNREGA job card scam in this district.

A high-level team headed by Additional Secretary Rural Development Department (RDD) Sudharshan Kumar will conduct the inquiry.

Acting swiftly, the team today seized records from the office of Block Development Office (BDO) Khovripora and also visited various houses to check veracity of job cards issued in their favor.

On Tuesday Greater Kashmir carried an investigative reporton “brazen irregularities” in issuance of job cards by the RDD.

“Yes, we have constituted the team to look into the allegations,” Commissioner/Secretary RDD Sheetal Nanda confirmed.

She said the team has been asked to submit the prima facie report by Wednesday (May 15). “The inquiry team will later submit the detailed report,” she said.

An official said most of the people on whose name the jobcards have been issued were surprised to find their names in the list of beneficiaries.

As reported by this newspaper the wages drawn “fraudulently”are deposited directly into the bank accounts of middlemen and contractors, chosen by the RDD officials in Block Development Office.

The documents have revealed that hundreds of fake and duplicate job cards for workers under MGNREGA have been issued by RDD, pointing to a large scale corruption in the central government scheme, implemented inJ&K in 2008.

The flagship program guarantees 100 days of employment topeople from rural areas, without a government job. The job card is provided toa family head holding a ration card.

However, even government employees, deceased people, minor shave been shown paid while a single person holds multiple job cards, so does his family members under different registration numbers.