Over 900 officials suspended for misusing NREGP fund

Hyderabad, Feb 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Rural Development Minister G Chinna Reddy today said 954 officials had been suspended in connection with misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs 1.50 crore during the implementation of phase one of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP).

To a question from Opposition TDP MLCs, A Revanth Reddy, P Raghunath Reddy and N China Rajappa, in the Council, Mr Reddy said 11 Mandal Development Officers (MDOs), 43 Mandal Engineering Officers, nine Additional Programme Officers and 900 Field Assistants were suspended for misappropriation of funds.

An amount of Rs 1.2 crore had been recovered during the social audit, conducted in 8,929 gram panchayats. The balance amount would be recovered soon, he added.

So far, an amount of Rs 2,016 crore had been spent under the NREGP being implemented in 13 districts in the State since 2006, the minister said.

A total of 44.45 lakh households had registered their names for employment.

UNI AP VA DS AS1751