Lakhs of rupees have been siphoned off in the construction of rock filled dams under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the state, forcing the government to put a ban on the constructions.
Reports by the flying squad and social audit teams of the rural development department found that in many places, the works were taken up without any objective.
The field functionaries reported that stones were stolen by miscreants and the social auditors observed the works were not executed on the field, resulting in huge loss to exchequer.
“Work on construction of rock filled dams is banned under the MGNREGS. Generation of new commencement orders shall be stopped and only payments for the works that are already in progr-ess shall be allowed,” rural development commissioner Jayalakshmi told this newspaper.
She added, “The field staff is not able to properly assess the works to be taken up or select the right places. We will examine the project thoroughly before taking up further works.”
Ms Jayalakshmi said construction of rock filled dams are among the 20 works identified in each village and works taken up, according to the needs of the village. “The basic objective of the rock filled dam is to reduce the velocity of flow of water and thereby reducing soil erosion,” she said.
While the department is yet to assess the misuse of funds in the rock filled dams, preliminary repo-rts indicate it is a huge sum. "It is a material component work. It needs tho-rough assessment,” Ms Jayalakshmi disclosed.
The sunken pits that are otherwise permitted will serve the objective of rock filled dams and will be extensively promoted in suitable locations, she added.
Earlier, several cases of misuse of funds had been reported. In one case, Rs 2 lakh was paid to a supplier but material worth only Rs 26,762 was found on the site. Similarly in another instance, Rs 1.89 lakh was paid, but material work worth Rs 55, 869 was found at the site.
So far, about Rs 120 crore has been siphoned off in the MGNREGS works in the state. Out of the Rs 48 crore lost due to corrupt practices, `17 crore had been recovered. As many as 9,000 field staff have been sacked.