RTI queries reveal several irregularities in MGNREGA scheme in West Bengal

Allegations of corruption in WB's MGNREGA implementation remain vague. RTI responses shed light on irregularities such as no trace of work, existing works fraudulently shown as MGNREGA works, jobs cards not updated, DPRs not made, tendering process fraught with irregularities. Central teams visited WB since 2019, but ATR not submitted. Activists allege social audit only on paper. CAG also not taken up audit.

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.

In a similar response to the RTI query filed by Chakradhar Buddha, a member of NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, the Ministry revealed, “In some cases, no trace of work was found in case of plantation and wasteland development work”. The response said that CIB (Citizen Information Board) were not available at work sites.

Central teams visits

The Ministry pointed out that response of 15 central teams (that have visited the State) have been shared with the State government and it has been asked to submit ATR (action taken report) by September 2022. Visits by central teams to the State started as early as 2019 and the response to Mr. Goswami‘s RTI pointed out that a central team as early as 2019 inspected 63 works of which 32 were found to be satisfactory and remaining 31 had shortcomings.

In the RTI response the Ministry of Rural Development had at several places emphasised that the action taken report sought by the Centre has not been provided and the State government has not worked on the recovery of funds which has been spent without following the norms.. “Noncompliance of the directive on the recovery of misappropriated amounts related to roadside plantation,” the response said.