Embezzlement in MGNREGA funds: Punjab & Haryana HC asks authorities to take remedial measures

Read Order: Janhitt Committee and other v. Union of India and others 

LE Correspondent

Chandigarh, August 6, 2021: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked government authorities in Haryana to take remedial measures after a petition alleged multifarious irregularities, frauds and embezzlements in the MGNREGA scheme funds by private people in connivance with officials in the state’s Nuh district.

The petition claimed that people who died and do not exist have been taken on record and are being paid wages and other benefits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme and thereby several irregularities and embezzlement of funds of the MGNREGA Scheme are taking place in the district.

The petitioner alleged that despite filing several representations and complaints before the concerned authorities, no action has been taken in this regard. 

The Additional Advocate General appearing for the State of Haryana submitted that under section 19 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, a grievance redressal mechanism has been provided pursuant to which rules have been framed by the State of Haryana. 

He submitted that in such circumstances, the representations and complaints filed by the petitioners before the Deputy Commissioner, Nuh at Mewat, shall be considered and decided by the authorities expeditiously. 

The AAG further submitted, the High Court noted, that the authorities shall make endeavour to decide the representations filed by the petitioners at the earliest and shall also call for details and if so required give opportunity of hearing to the petitioners to establish or clarify the allegations or facts mentioned by them in the said complaints/representations. 

The state counsel also submitted that the orders passed by the authorities would be communicated to the petitioners, who would thereafter have a remedy of filing an appeal in accordance with the rules framed by the State of Haryana, the HC noted. 

“In view of the aforesaid statement made by learned Additional Advocate General, Haryana, the petition filed by the petitioners’ stands disposed of,” stated the High Court.