Question : Irregularities under MGNREGS

(a) whether it is fact that the workers of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have to share their wages with the staff of banks and post offices to take money out of their accounts;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of such cases which were reported during the last three years, State-wise and year-wise;

(d) whether it has come to the notice of the Union Government that the beneficiaries are compelled to bribe the authorities to get their legally guaranteed dues and if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken thereon; and

(e) whether the Government is taking any measures to educate the rural poor to put an end to corruption in the system and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a): No, Madam.

(b)&(c): Do not arise.

(d): No Madam, However, the Ministry, under MGNREGA receives complaints of irregularities. Since the responsibility of implementation of MGNREGA is vested with the State Governments/UTs, all complaints received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned State Governments/UTs for taking appropriate action including investigation, as per law.

(e): The Government is actively engaged with the State Government in establishing systems that ensure provision of work as per demand. To generate awareness about the provisions of the Scheme and to provide adequate employment opportunities to rural households under MGNREGS, all States/UTs have been requested to (i) initiate appropriate Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns including wall paintings for wide dissemination of the provisions of the Act, (ii) expand scope and coverage of demand registration system to ensure that demand for work under MGNREGA does not go unregistered, (iii) prepare plans in a participatory mode and approve them in the Gram Sabha, and (iv) prepare realistic labour budget by the State.

*****