GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Rural Development
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT 

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3068
ANSWERED ON APRIL 22, 2013 

QUESTION
Frauds in Implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) 

3068. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: 

(a)   whether Government has sent several probe teams to different States to probe misappropriation and other frauds in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA); 

(b)   if so, the details thereof; 

(c)    the outcome of the probe, State-wise; and

 (d)   the action taken or proposed to be taken by Government in this regard? 

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN 'ADITYA')

 (a) to (d): The Ministry receives a large number of complaints about implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the country. Since the implementation of the Act is done by the State Governments in accordance with the Schemes formulated by them as per the provisions of the Act, all complaints received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned state Governments for taking appropriate action including investigation, as per law. 

The complaints mainly relate to cases of job cards not provided, misappropriation of funds, engagement of contractors, forgery of muster roll, manipulation in job cards, under payment of wages, non-payment of wages, corruption and other irregularities, use of machinery, delay in payments etc. There is a comprehensive system of monitoring and review of the implementation of MGNREGA, which inter-alia include Periodic Progress Report, Performance Review Committee, Quarterly Regional Reviews, Area Officers' Scheme, National Level Monitors and Vigilance & Monitoring Committees at the State and District levels. Independent Monitoring and verification by National Level Monitors (NLMs) and Area Officers are also carried out in cases of specific complaints. The findings and reports of such review meetings and visits are shared with the concerned States/UT Governments for follow up action.

 During the last year 2012, 14 specific cases of improper implementation of MGNREGA, in the States of Assam (2 cases), Himachal Pradesh (1 case), Jammu & Kashmir (1 case), Kerala (1 case), Madhya Pradesh (6 cases), Manipur (1 case), Rajasthan (1 case) and Uttar Pradesh (1 case) were inquired into, through National Level Monitors. Inquiry reports are analyzed at the central level and suitable advisory are issued to the State Governments for initiation of departmental inquiry, proceedings for disqualification/termination in respect of elected officials, lodging of FIR against the delinquent official(s) in case prima-facie a criminal intent is established, recovery of amount misappropriated etc. Detailed instructions by way of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with complaints have also been issued to all States/UTs and have also been displayed on website www.nrega.nic.in  for public dissemination.