Probe 'fund misappropriation,' demands Cong
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2021: Congress party has demanded an enquiry against three officers in connection with the misappropriation of Rs 485,50,75,00 which was sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development and transferred to the State Government's account on March 18 this year for distribution to Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) .

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, MPCC spokesman and MLA K Meghachandra claimed that the amount exceeding Rs 485 crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development for payment of wages to MGNREGS job-card holders and purchase of materials is no longer available with the State's Rural Development Department.

Notably, PRIs had enforced a 48 hour State-wide bandh demanding release of pending funds for MGNREGS and payment of their honoraria.

Probe 'fund misappropriation,' demands Cong

MGNREGS was launched by the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh with a view to ensure 100 days' job in a year to people living in rural areas.

The amount exceeding Rs 485 crore which was meant for distribution to PRIs was sent to the State Government's account on March 18 this year.

Another amount of Rs 83 crore was sanctioned by the Ministry four/five months earlier, Meghachandra said.

Questioning as to why the amount sanctioned before the end of the last financial year was not delivered to the PRIs, the Congress spokesman said that copies of the sanction letter of the same amount were delivered to the Principal Secretary (Finance), Principal Secretary (Rural Development) and the Accountant General, and the sanction letter made it clear that the same amount should be transferred to the PRIs before the end of the financial year.

He then asked why the rural folks who worked under MGNREGS amidst the woes of COVID-19 pandemic are being denied their wages.

As per rules, the State Government should transfer the amount of Rs 485,50,75,000 to PRIs within three days of receiving it from the Centre.

If the Central share of 75 per cent and the State share of 25 per cent are not released together, the State Government should pay 12 interest (of the total amount) and the same should be given to PRIs, he asserted.

As the Rural Development Department is not clearing the liabilities indebted to it, it is clear that the amount exceeding Rs 485 crore has been utilised elsewhere, Meghachandra asserted.

He then urged the State Government to bring out a white paper on where the MGNREGS fund was utilised.

Asking the Principal Secretary (Finance), Principal Secretary (Rural Development) and the Accountant General as to why the pending liabilities were not cleared despite knowing the guidelines of the Central Government, Meghachandra urged the Government to institute an enquiry against them.

The State Government would not be able to claim next instalment of funds until utilisation certificates for the funds already released are submitted and it can lead to a financial crisis in the State amidst the COVID-19 woes, he warned.

He further urged the Government to release the 17 months' pending honoraria for Zilla Parishad Members, Pradhans and Ward Members at the earliest.