The CBI, probing the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the multi-crore Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Uttar Pradesh, is all set to examine certain
The CBI, probing the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the multi-crore Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Uttar Pradesh, is all set to examine certain state-level politicians in connection with the case.
Sources said, “The CBI will soon question three state-level politicians in connection with the agency’s probe into the implementation of the scheme in Gonda and Mahoba districts in UP.” The agency has already registered seven FIRs in the case.
In 2014, the CBI registered seven cases to probe irregularities in the implementation of MGNREGS in seven districts in UP, including Balrampur, Gonda, Mahoba, Sonbhadra, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mirzapur and Kushinagar.
The FIRs were registered on the direction of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court. The probe period by the CBI is between 2007 and 2010. During this period, BSP leader Mayawati was the chief minister.
Expressing displeasure over corruption in the implementation of the Centrally-sponsored scheme, the Allahabad high court had directed the CBI to probe the allegations of financial irregularities into use of MGNREGS funds in seven districts in UP.
The court had also directed the agency to conduct a inquiry if it finds evidence of corruption in other districts during investigations, sources said.
The court observed, “Material on record prima facie reveals startling facts with regard to misappropriation of fund allocated under MGNREGS right from lowest echelon of the elected representatives, pradhans, gram sabha members to the higher bureaucracy in a well netted collusive manner”.
The implementation of another centrally-sponsored National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is already being probed by the CBI and the ED in which both central agencies charged the then BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha of corruption and bribery. The CBI, which registered more than 150 cases in the NRHM scam, arrested total 10 persons in connection with the cases.
