Misuse of National Rural Employment Generation Scheme funds alleged

Kakinada: Large scale misuse of funds was alleged in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MG-NREGS) works for the construction of soak pits in the East Godavari districts.

Veteran CPM leader and president of AP Vyavasaya Karmika Sangam, Dadala Subba Rao accused that the authorities of the District Water Management Authority (DWMA), the implementing agency of MG-NREGS, were yielding to political pressures of ruling TDP.

They have been entrusting the works to Janmabhoomi committees in villages depriving livelihood to agriculture labourers in a big way,” he alleged.

Subba Rao stated that the State government in promoting aqua culture in a big way forced large number of agriculture workers to lose their livelihood. “They used to get works for 90 days in agriculture but due to heavy promotion of aquaculture, the number of works days was down to two. These works are also restricted to pond digging and filling water. In agriculture they used to get employment in sowing, plantation, cutting and harvesting,” he said.

The veteran leader accused that to promote the interests of Janmabhoomi committees at the behest of local TDP leaders, the soak pits were being dug in sea coast.

“It is a total waste of money and against the norms of the scheme as the same is meant for provision and assured of employment to rural masses,” he averred.

Commenting on the allegations project director of DWMA P Nageswara Rao denied any misuse of funds. “Construction of soak pits is confined to 32 mandals only and the works are entrusted to local laborers, not to Janmabhoomi committees as alleged,” he added.