IPAK reacts to discrepancies in MGNREGS, urges Govt to intervene
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2020: The Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK), Manipur has came out strongly against the discrepancies in MGNREGS and the misconduct of the agents implementing the scheme for years.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) is meant to ensure employment to underprivileged people for 100 days in a year.

IPAK, in a press statement, alleged that Block Development Officers (BDO), Gram Rozgar Sahayak (GRS) along with Zilla Parishads, Pradhans and Ward Members have been flouting the prescribed rules and deceiving the people for their own benefit and interest, since the implementation of the scheme.

"In the course of an investigation conducted by a special team of IPAK at many Gram Panchayat areas, it was found that MGNREGS has become a treasure chest for dishonest implementing agents," said IPAK in the statement.

IPAK also listed few of the misdeeds while implementing the scheme in the State.

Many job card deserving individuals were found left out at many places while persons unknown to the job card holding families were listed as members of the particular families and even deceased were enrolled by implementing agencies besides swindling the wages of many in collusion with financial institutions, the association said while continuing that these agents do not even spare the dues of disabled persons.

IPAK also decried the in-attentiveness of the State despite repeated apprisal regarding the issue while further pointing out that there were discrepancies in the verification of job card holders conducted at many places.

Verification of job card holders was found to be conducted solely by ZP/Pradhan/Members without the involvement of local clubs, said IPAK while terming the act as akin to handing over key of treasure chest to the robbers/burglars.

IPAK also questioned the State Government how much of the verification work, which was supposed to be completed within a week, has been completed and how credible will be the report to be submitted by DPC/BDO/GRS.

IPAK further asserted that RD&PR Department must have a detailed report about the prevailing issue.

Expressing strong suspicion of probable political link with the issue, the association also questioned why concerned authorities are paying no attention and are reluctant to take up any action although the association had repeatedly submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister.

IPAK further drew the attention of the Government to deal with the matter effectively while suggesting a list of measures.

Constitution of a high level enquiry committee encompassing CSO members to check the anomalies in verification issue, issuance of ATM cards, cheque books to job card holders after thorough verification were among the measures suggested by the association.

Details of new works as well as number of workers should be made public through local newspapers.

These details should be sent to the Panchayat office and regular supervision by concerned authorities should be made compulsory, asserted IPAK.

The association also suggested that MGNREGS works should be undertaken without using machines, and local clubs and other experts should be consulted while planning works to be taken up.

IPAK also proposed for one time disbursal of wages of job card holders for particular districts relying on online payment system and make public the list of villages which have no online payment facility.

Necessary publicity specifying works which can be undertaken under MGNREGS as well as those works that cannot be covered should be carried out through media, added IPAK while seeking appropriate legal punishment for those found involved in fraudulent works.

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