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Punjab MGNREGA Scam Probe: BJP Welcomes Centre's Corruption Crackdown

The BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha in Punjab has welcomed the Centre's decision to investigate MGNREGA irregularities. Party leader Paramjit Singh Kainth highlighted multiple scams involving fake job cards and improper beneficiary listings. He criticized the state government for failing to act despite crores of rupees being misappropriated. The probe follows Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's announcement to ensure funds reach genuine beneficiaries.

Key Points: BJP Welcomes Centre MGNREGA Punjab Irregularities Probe

  • BJP welcomes Centre's high-level probe into MGNREGA fund misuse in Punjab
  • Fake job cards and deceased persons listed as beneficiaries uncovered
  • Previous scams worth crores exposed but no action taken
  • Union Minister Chouhan promises investigation into fake payments
  • Corruption in Rural Development Department hinders poor employment
2 min read

BJP welcomes Centre's decision to probe MGNREGA irregularities in Punjab

BJP SC Morcha welcomes Centre's MGNREGA probe in Punjab, alleging fake job cards, contractor collusion, and crores in scam funds under Mann government.

"The Bhagwant Mann government claims zero tolerance for corruption, which is rarely seen on the ground - Paramjit Singh Kainth"

Chandigarh, Nov 28

Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste Morcha Punjab vice-president Paramjit Singh Kainth on Friday welcomed Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's decision to order a high-level probe into alleged misuse of MGNREGA funds in Punjab.

Kainth said over the past few years, several MGNREGA scams have surfaced in Punjab, involving the misuse of funds through various irregularities that would not have been possible without the connivance of representatives of political parties.

Kainth claimed that for the past 10 years, corruption in the state's Rural Development and Panchayat Departments -- often carried out by gram panchayats in collusion with officials and employees -- has hindered employment opportunities for poor families. These include creating fake job cards and collusion with contractors, creating fake payment receipts, and listing ineligible or deceased persons as beneficiaries, depriving needy MGNREGA workers of their entitlements.

He said scams worth crores of rupees involving MGNREGA workers have been exposed in Punjab, but no action has been taken against them. "The Bhagwant Mann government claims zero tolerance for corruption, which is rarely seen on the ground, but no action has been taken against these scams worth crores of rupees in recent years," he said.

The BJP leader said that in 2017, a local court dismissed police closure reports for a Rs 5-crore scam in the Samana and Patran blocks of Patiala. He said in 2019, five officials were fired in Gidderbaha and Ferozepur over a fraudulent payment scam of Rs 2.59 crore, but neither central funds were recovered nor has the police taken any action in the MGNREGA scam.

Union Minister Chouhan, during a visit to Jalandhar on Thursday, announced that the Centre would investigate irregularities in MGNREGA implementation in Punjab, including complaints about fake job cards and contractor involvement, and ensure that funds reach genuine beneficiaries.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is long overdue. In my village, we've seen fake job cards being created while genuine workers struggle to get their payments. The system needs complete overhaul. Hope this investigation is fair and not just political drama.
M
Michael C
While I support accountability, let's hope this isn't just political targeting. All parties should be investigated if they're involved. Corruption has no political color in India.
A
Ananya R
Creating fake job cards and listing deceased persons as beneficiaries? This is heartbreaking! These funds are lifeline for rural families. Strict punishment should be given to all involved. 💔
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked with rural communities, I've seen how MGNREGA corruption affects real people. Hope this probe leads to systemic changes and better monitoring mechanisms.
V
Vikram M
The state government should have taken action long back. When scams worth crores are exposed and no action taken, it encourages more corruption. Better late than never though!
K
Kavya N
Hope this investigation is transparent and the findings are made public. Common people deserve to know how their tax money is being misused. Accountability is key for good governance.

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