Undervaluation of MGNREGA Bill Scam surfaces in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — In view of widespread allegations in squeezing and coercion tactics in the name of bill verification, Assistant Engineer, Kakapora, REW has been attached by the government, Office of the Executive Engineer sealed for scrutiny of documents besides an enquiry initiated by the Deputy Commissioner.

Sources said that complaints were pouring to the office of the District Development Commissioner regarding alleged coercion tactics being adopted by some engineers of REW Pulwama.

In the name of verification of bills by undervaluing of bills and doing unwarranted cuttings in the measurements of works executed and rate schedule, bills were deliberately undervalued for coercing job card holders and mates.

Recently the issue was raised during the visit of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor by some public representatives, immediately taking cognisance, it has been reported that the office of executive engineer has been sealed for verification of documents, Assistant Engineer concerned against whom allegation of repeated corruption and ‘cuts’ in works executed in MGNREGA and 14th FC has been attached besides third party examination of cases has been ordered by the Deputy Commissioner.

It was also reported that Deputy Commissioner himself went to Larve, Ukhoo and other areas to verify the claims and counterclaims.

A team of R&B engineers has been engaged to recheck the verifications done by REW. Prima facie, huge discrepancies have been found in the actions of some block engineers.

It only emerged after poor job card holders of the area who had done the work as per desired demand with stipulated man days for being forced to get lower wages through such coercive techniques by some engineers.

Meanwhile, MGNREGA labourers expressed their satisfaction over the prompt action on the part of district administration in understanding their plight and suffering.

Civil Society Pulwama and the people dealing with MGNREGA works have hailed the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama for taking keen interest over the issue and singling the culprits.

Moreover, MGNREGA workers association appealed the UT Administration to have an ACB enquiry in the issue, so that such coercive, subtle methods of corruption and fleecing of poor labourers could be stemmed.