MGNREGS 'ghost workers' under scanner

Metro India News | SURYAPET 

Serious allegations of large-scale irregularities have surfaced in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Gaddipalli village of Garidepalli mandal, with villagers claiming that wages meant for genuine labourers were diverted to ineligible beneficiaries through fraudulent job cards and fake attendance.

According to villagers, official records show around 600 to 650 workers enrolled under the scheme. However, more than 350 of them allegedly never attended any work but continued to receive wage payments. The allegations include payments made to people living abroad, businessmen, large landowners and even old-age pensioners. One of the most shocking claims is that a person who has been residing in London for several years allegedly has an active MGNREGS job card and has been shown as attending work regularly, with wages reportedly credited to his account. Villagers also alleged that businessman couples, who never participated in any MGNREGS work, received around Rs 15,000 each through the scheme.

Residents further claimed that individuals owning nearly 100 acres of agricultural land and senior citizens receiving government pensions were also listed as MGNREGS workers. Meanwhile, genuine labourers reportedly received wages for only three or four days of work each week, while fake beneficiaries were shown as working all seven days. Villagers have also alleged that money was illegally collected from people by promising new job cards and that funds credited to post office accounts were withdrawn through the alleged involvement of officials and staff without the knowledge of beneficiaries.

The villagers accused a syndicate involving local MGNREGS staff, village functionaries and other officials of orchestrating the fraud. They have demanded a comprehensive inquiry, recovery of misappropriated funds and strict departmental action against those responsible. Residents also suspect that similar irregularities may be taking place in other villages of the mandal.

"While genuine labourers receive wages for only two or three days of work, businessmen, people living abroad and over 100 individuals who never worked have allegedly been paid for seven days. This is a grave injustice to real workers. The authorities must ensure that genuine labourers get the justice they deserve."

Ghulam Deputy Sarpanch, Gaddipalli