Keonjhar/Champua: Several projects being undertaken under the MGNREGS in some pockets of Keonjhar district are beset with irregularities.
In some cases, MGNREGS has failed to achieve its objective of providing jobs to local people due to the use of machines. A road reconstruction project is being carried out from Keri Chhak to Nuagan Chhak in Maidankel panchayat in Sadar block. Due to lack of monitoring, the work has been botched up, locals alleged.
They pointed out that earth was laid on the road instead of murram. At some places, the road has sunk, creating pits. The villagers have written regarding this to the Collector. Local job card holders were not engaged for the work while tractors were used. As the quality of the project has been compromised, the road is now in a bad shape, locals added.
They have to face a lot of commuting problems. Most of the time vehicles get struck in the pits. The villagers have demanded a probe into the irregularities.
The people of Kadakala in tribal-dominated Bansapal block alleged irregularities in projects executed under MGNREGS. Machines were used for the digging of a pond while job card holders have no work.
As well connected people are carrying out the work, their repeated complaints to the local administration are yielding no results, the locals said.
In Champua too, MGNREGS guidelines were thrown to the winds and projects were being executed with machines. A playground is being developed near river Aradei in Badania panchayat. But the work is being done with machines, locals said.
The gram panchayat technical assistants (GPTAs) and gram rozgar sevaks know about the irregularities but they do nothing to check it, the locals said, adding Rs 5 lakh is being spent on the project.
Surprisingly, GPTA Mioni Soren said that machines can be used for MGNREGS projects.
Assistant panchayat officer Purnachandra Nayak said work cannot be done with machines under MGNREGS. Only in risky projects machines can be used, he made it clear. He assured that an investigation will be ordered and action will be taken.
PNN