Government receives 1400 complaints in implementation of MNREGA

New Delhi, Nov.17 (ANI): Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said they have received over 1400 complaints relating to misappropriation and diversion of funds and corruption in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) from across the country.

"The Ministry has received a total of 1464 complaints regarding irregularities in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA," said Aditya in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

He said the Ministry has so far received 371 complaints regarding misappropriation of funds and six cases of diversion of funds of MNREGA.

He also informed the Ministry has received 180 complaints relating to corruption in the implementation of MGNREGA and 39 complaints regarding leakage of funds through bank and post office accounts.

Aditya said the reason behind the delay in payment of wages is due to lack of bank and post office services in remote areas since the provision for the payment was made mandatory through their accounts in them.

"At the time of launch of MNREGA, payment of wages to workers was to be made in cash. However, vide a notification dated February 19, 2009, payment of wages has been made mandatory through worker's accounts in banks or post offices," he said.

As the implementation of the Act is done by the States in accordance with the employment guarantee schemes formulated by them as per the provisions, he said all complaints received relating to the implementation of MNREGA are forwarded to the States concerned for taking "appropriate action" the Act. (ANI)