Khurda: Resentment is brewing among residents of Keranga panchayat over use of machinery for implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) projects.
Protesting against violation of MGNREGS guidelines, a ward member of Keranga has lodged a complaint with the Khurda block development officer (BDO) and sought action against the guilty people. The ward member has also written to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention into the issue.
According to the complaint, Khurda block authorities had sanctioned Rs 3 lakh for renovation of Baghajhumpa pond at Keranga and Rs 2 lakh for laying a road in the locality under the rural employment guarantee scheme.
The contractors, engaged for the projects, drafted an earth mover and a tractor to implement both the projects without hiring the job card holders of the scheme.
“An earth mover was used to desilt the pond. The mud and sand removed from the pond were carried on a tractor to lay the road. This is nothing but gross violation of MGNREGS norms,” said the complaint.
The complainant claimed that the contractors were in cahoots with some panchayat officials and had forged documents to show that some job card holders were hired for the two projects.
“We have raised the issue with the Grama Rozgar Sevak (GRS) and the Panchayat Executive Officer, but to no avail,” alleged the complainant.
