CM orders ACB probe into ‘misappropriation of MGNREGS funds’ in Hingoli district

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday ordered an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe based on a complaint on misappropriation of funds and fraud in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Hingoli district.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday ordered an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe based on a complaint on misappropriation of funds and fraud in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Hingoli district.

The complainant approached CM Devendra Fadnavis from Hingoli on the occasion of ‘Lokshahi Din’ (Democracy Day) through video conferencing. (HT File Photo)

The probe was ordered by the CM after he was apprised that government grants are being taken away by making fraud documents in the name of the deceased, senior citizens and disabled people.

Fadnavis was approached by a Shyam Shevalkar from Hingoli on the occasion of ‘Lokshahi Din’ (Democracy Day) through video conferencing. Lokshahi Din is being observed at first Monday of every month and complainants, chosen randomly, are connected to the CM through video conference mechanism, from across the state. It was shifted on Wednesday this month as Monday was a public holiday on account of Ganesh Chaturthi. Fadnavis heard 18 complaints this time.

In his complaint, Shevalkar alleged that misappropriation of funds is occurring in the Digraswani tehsil of the district under the scheme. He alleged that between 2008-09 and 2015-16, Rs 3.14 crore were sanctioned under MGNREGS and out of that Rs 1.41 crore was released but work was not done.

He alleged that officials in connivance with locals such as Sarpanch and gramrozgar sevak are also involved in misappropriation of these funds. This is being done by presenting fake documents of deceased villagers, disabled and senior citizens. He then requested CM to take stern action, which then resulted in Fadnavis ordering an ACB probe into the entire matter.