MASS CORRUPTION AND A TOTAL LACK OF TRASPERANCY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF NREGA SCHEMES IN ASSAM
(Issues raised by me at the Consultative Meeting of the Union Rural Dev Minister Dr C P Joshi with the regional parties, 6 Oct 2009, New Delhi)
1. There a case of systemic corruption and lack of transparency on the part of state government officials implementing NREGA in Assam. Various media reports have appeared and the vicious circle of corruption in terms of fake job cards, job cards deposited in the custody of implementing officials or political party middlemen, delayed payment are sustained in a sate that lives under the shadow of the ‘extremist activities’. The NREGA funds are now being used for nefarious purpose of minting money illegally and it has become a major source of corruption in Assam. (see some Reports at Annexure) 2. It is often reported that in Assam a large chunk of funds meant for developmental schemes including NREGA went to militant groups in Assam. This has been confirmed by the Justice R K Manisena Singh Commission’s report that looked into misappropriation of funds in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (Assam) and brought to light the nexus between politicians and militants. The 49-page report submitted on 19 Feb 2009 and also tabled in the assembly said that payments were showed to have been made under NREGS without any work actually being done, false vouchers were submitted by block development officers to draw the money. In one particular instance, the PWD Mahur Road Division issued a cheque worth Rs 3.5 crore without any work being done, the report said. (see Page 6 of the Annex: A) 3. There is an overall lack of transparency within the grassroots level implementing officials and also elected PRI representatives regarding works proposed, works available and actual payment shown in the name of a particular worker. Now, ironically almost all the information are available at the NREGA Website through MIS but the same is not accessible to the poor, illiterate workers/villagers. In such a situation a human interface like rural “NREGA Information Kiosk” will not only provide ready information verbally like an inquiry counter but also alert the corrupt instruments in the system that there is another channel where the information will be available to public. In that way corruption in NREGA may be checked at the grassroots level to a great extent. To pilot such an initiative, it is suggested that a detailed proposal will be sent to the Ministry to launch such a kiosk in Assam in collaboration with a local NGO to test its feedback, viability and usefulness. 4. There are a number of complaints (18+5) that are lodged with the Ministry on NREGA as per the website but is it seen that even after repeated reminders the Assam Govt has not responded to the queries from the Ministry. It is suggested that such queries from Ministry should go with a time bar and “no-response” should be linked to the withholding of funds. In that way the the Ministry/as well as the complainants will get at least a response on the various complaints. 5. In the Monitoring mechanisms, committees etc reputed NGOs with “real work experience” should be included after through background checks. At the same time academics like ‘reputed’ and established professors with a reputation in the subject area (say with publications in international journal and not the ‘political type’ local lecturers in local colleges) should be involved with the NREGA monitoring processes. 6. In Assam in many cases the unholy nexus of corrupt politician and officials have blatantly violated and bypassed the Panchayati Raj Institutions in planning NREGA projects. These PRIs were intended to play an important role in planning and executing this flagship programme to respond to the local needs of the people. As a result several court cases were lodged, specially in cases of Karimganj and Barpeta districts, where the Hon’ble High Court ordered to send back the plan to the MC/DM for getting the concurrence of the PRI representatives. This a matter of great concern and the vicious cycle of siphoning NREGA fund start from such ‘fictitious planning’ and the arbitrary management of the scheme by officials like BDOs and Panchyet Secretaries have crippled the potentials large scale benefits of the NRGA for the poor people, 7. Lastly, it is said that ‘”human ingenuity knows no bounds and the vested interests immediately discover newer ways to sabotage any good programme. We all agree that NREGA in itself is a compact, commendable and relevant scheme ever doled out to rural public in post independence India. Its components, such as, rural employment generation, asset creation in rural areas, women empowerment etc. are really exemplary. However, The ownership of this NREGA projects/works has to be with the poor and the officials and those politicians associated with the NREGA in any capacity should treat it as a duty to provide employment to job card holders and not to present it as a “favoir” or another “sarkari obligation”.
ANNUXURE: A
SOME NREGA RELATED MEDIA REPORTS FROM ASSAM NREGA fund misappropriation in Darrang CORRESPONDENT http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may3009/State DALGAON, May 29 – The recent allegations of misappropriation of funds released for developmental schemes under NREGA in Darrang district have resulted in a serious development with the district Deputy Commissioner lodging a police complaint against a few officials of Bechimari Development Block under Dalgaon LAC. Dhruba Hazarika, DC, Darrang on April 19 last had lodged on FIR before Superintendent of Police, Darrang against the officials of Bechimari Development Block who were involved in implementation as well as release of funds for the scheme namely ‘River protection with bund from Daipam bridge to Simaluguri village along the Tangui River at Daipam at an estimated cost of about Rs 47 lakh under NREGA/2007-08. It may be mentioned that Project Director, DRDA, Darrang, Kulendra Talukdar on the directives of DC, Darrang conducted an inquiry into the scheme and reportedly found misappropriation of government money. Just after receiving the inquiry report from the PD, DRDA, Darrang, the Deputy Commissioner lodged a police complaint against the programme officer-cum-BDO of Bachimari Development Block, Manjjam Hussain Mazumdar and the concerned junior engineer Dipak Kalita. According to inquiry officer Talukdar, the enquiry was well supported by the technical experts from the district Water Resource department as per directions from the Deputy Commissioner. He however refused to comment on the findings of the inquiry. On the other hand, it was found out from practical observations that increased water level of the river caused heavy damage to the over 100 metre-long road-cum-bund intact. The scheme was undertaken in two phases and with the received amount in phase-I being Rs 22,89,700 and phase-II being Rs 24,10,500, the total released amount against the work reportedly stood at Rs 31 lakh. Meanwhile, the Dalgaon Police has started a fresh inquiry into the allegations and directed the programme officer, Bechimari Development Block to submit the relevant papers relating to material supply and payment, work estimates, wages roll and other accounts involving the scheme within seven days from the day of May 26, informed Heramba Bora officer-in-charge of Dalgaon PS. The OC further said that as the matter involves various technical issues, he will write to DC, Darrang for providing technical experts for necessary help in the inquiry process. He expected two months’ time to get the inquiry completed on their own. Significantly, the DC, Darrang has ordered inquiries into 52 such cases of alleged misappropriation of funds for various rural development schemes under NREGA, IAY and SGRY, out of which, inquiry reports of 12 cases have been submitted by the inquiry officers. --------------------- NREGA becomes a farce in Barpeta district Correspondent http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=mar2409/State19 BARPETA, March 23 – The much-hyped National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) has proved to be a farce in Barpeta district as no person has been provided a job for 100 days as prescribed under the provisions of this Act during the current financial year. The picture of implementation is so poor that most of the rural labourers holding job cards under this ambitious Act have to be content with two to three days of work during the span of the year. The financial year ends on March 31. NREGA was taken up for implementation in Barpeta district in the 2007-08 fiscal. The poor people of the district were very much optimistic about the possible change of their economic condition as it is mandatory to provide at least 100 days of work to a family below poverty line. It is learnt that more than 2 lakh job cards were issued in 129 Gaon Panchayats of the district. Amidst allegations of large-scale corruption and misappropriation of funds by the officials ranging from panchayat secretaries to the Project Director of DRDA and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Parishad, the work on a few schemes started during October - November, 2007. It gained momentum between January and March last year when there was no elected body of panchayat in the district. Most of the works were executed and supervised by the officials and the funds were also withdrawn and utilised by them. The only solace to the people was that they were provided job to some extent though not in full. During 2007-2008, the engagement of job-card holders could be recorded from 20 to 80 days. But the work done was far from satisfactory and it did not commensurate with the money spent against the schemes. Most of the schemes implemented last year were incomplete. As the elected panchayat bodies were handed over charges during March-April last year when there were a lot of schemes approved to be done under NREGA, the poor people of the district hoped that they would be provided opportunity of work for full days during 2008-2009. Their expectation was reasonable as they were told time and again that there would be no fund crunch under NREGA. “Submit schemes, create employment and the flow of money will not stop.” This has been the sum and substance of the lectures delivered by officials, MLAs and ministers in public meetings when they refer to NREGA. But it did not take much time to shatter the hopes of the poor people when they had to return from the gaon panchayat or block development offices in vain after seeking job. Instead of job allotment, they had to hear, “No funds, wait for a few days”. And the days passed by but there was no engagement. In several places, the labourers under NREGA organised agitational programmes. Some political parties and student organisations also raised their voice against the deprivation of the labourer class. Though the Panchayat representatives and officials were tightlipped regarding the lapses in implementation of NREGA, the reason behind it has been revealed. According to information provided by a top official of the district administration, the Central Government has not sanctioned any amount to the district, nor is there any hope of doing so within March 31. The reason is not far to seek. The nodal officer in the district responsible for implementation of NREGA has not been able to submit to accounts against the money received during 2007-2008. It is alleged that this nodal officer, who holds dual charges of Project Director of DRDA and CEO of the Zilla Parishad, in connivance with some clever politicians, has not properly utilised the funds received last year. The nodal officer has not been providing information to the journalists who approach him on the implementation of NREGA. He allegedly does not reply to applications filed under Right to Information Act 2005 for months together even after intervention by State Information Commission. Though the State Government is fully aware of the happenings in Barpeta, it has not taken any steps to punish the guilty and provide relief to the rural poor. Taking full advantage of the ignorance and indifference of the rural people, a section of the officers, in connivance with some clever politicians and middlemen, have violated a Central law. NREGA, as the name indicated is not merely a scheme but an Act of Parliament. Any violation of this Act should be judged according to the rule of the law. This is the general opinion of the conscious people of the district. Time will tell what action is taken by Central and State governments against the persons flouting the law. How govt funds are diverted to Assam rebels Samudra Gupta Kashyap Tags : Assam, NREGA, militant groups Posted: Monday , Jul 27, 2009 at 0041 hrs Guwahati: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/how-govt-funds-are-diverted-to-assam-rebels/494366/ A large chunk of funds meant for developmental schemes and projects find their way to militant groups in Assam. This has been confirmed by the Justice R K Manisena Singh Commission’s report into misappropriation of funds in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, a report that also brings to light the nexus between politicians and militants. The 49-page report has said that while payments were showed to have been made under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) without any work actually being done, false vouchers were submitted by block development officers to draw the money. In one particular instance, the PWD Mahur Road Division issued a cheque worth Rs 3.5 crore without any work being done, it said. Job card holders of Maibang, Mahur, Diyngmukh, Sangbar and Harangaja, did not receive payment under the NREGS, the Commission’s report, which was submitted to the state government on February 19, but was tabled in the state Assembly here recently, said. ------------------- Demo against irregularities in NREGA Staff Reporter: The Assam Tribune GUWAHATI, July 7 – Members of Sadou Asom Gramin Shramik Santha today staged a demonstration before the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Kamrup against the alleged irregularities in the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in the State and also expressed its displeasure over issues like price rise. The Santha submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, pinpointing shortcomings in the process of issue of job cards, ensuring 100 days of work and various other related issues, a press release stated. The Santha also demanded a high-level inquiry into the irregularities and asked the department concerned to come up with a white paper covering all the issues. A special Assembly session should be called to address the issues, the Santha demanded. ASSAMESE DAILY NEWS PAPER “AJIR BATORI” dated 2 Oct 2009 : GUWAHATI GIST: CORRUPTION IN NREGA IN DIBRUGARH DISTRICT OF ASSAM : There are mass cooruption going on in Dibrugarh District NREGA implementation in Assam. Examples cited: Riverbank erosion protection work of Rs 4.00 Lac in Bolai village under Barbarua Dev Block of the district shown “utiliesed” though only 30% work done. Smiliarly in the work of Boghamur Block Tiniali Rs 22.23 Lacs taken out though work is only 50% completed in ground. Similar siphoning of Rs 20.00 Lacs also reported in Ring Bundh construction work on on the North Bank of Cecha River in Garidharia village. The newspaper claims that it has a number of more such evidences of corruption in Dibrugarh district. Further, it says that Job Cards were issued in the names of teachers, President and Secretary of the Vigilance Committee also.
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