The allegation of corruption in the implementation of the MGNREGA in West Bengal remains vague since the communication between the State government and Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj remains out of public domain.
Response to the Right to Information (RTI) queries obtained by activists, however, shed some light on what are the allegations of corruption. From no trace of work which was described as completed under the scheme to existing works fraudulently shown as MGNREGA works, jobs cards not being updated, DPRs not made, tendering process fraught with irregularities the allegations are many.
The RTI response obtained by activist Biswanath Goswami, earlier this year points out “works relating to earth work have many serious shortcomings”. “Existing works fraudulently shown to be created under MGNREGA, procurement systems not followed, tendering not as per norms, work executed within 15 days of sanction,” the response said. The other points raised were that works which were not permissible under MGNREGA were taken up such as metallic fencing, sand filled bags for flood protection and ornamental plants.
