In a jaw-dropping revelation, Bihar finds itself entangled in a colossal corruption scandal surrounding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The epicenter of this exposé is the Raxa Panchayat in Madhubani district, where individuals now face charges in connection with a mind-boggling ₹1.23 crore fraudulent withdrawal. This intricate scheme involved the creation of 270 phantom accounts in post offices, two of which continued to operate even after the account holders’ demise.
Simultaneously, Bhagalpur is grappling with the unraveling of MGNREGA projects amounting to a staggering ₹20 crore, creating a stir of discontent among the workforce.
Probe Unveils Astonishing Details:
1. Crossing State Lines: Court records illuminate a trail of deception with 16 accounts opened in the names of individuals residing in other states.
2. Intricate Deception: Some individuals showcased an astonishing level of audacity, holding multiple accounts – one individual even managing three accounts under their name.
3.Silent Suspicion: Out of 149 account holders, 20 remained dormant, casting shadows of suspicion on potential embezzlement.
4. Deceptive Legacies: Shockingly, the investigation uncovered fake accounts under the names of deceased beneficiaries, a sinister ploy resulting in the misappropriation of government funds.
The Madhubani MGNREGA Odyssey:
The scandal’s epicenter in Madhubani’s Raxa Panchayat, spanning from 2006 to 2011, unfolded in projects like soil filling, drainage construction, and afforestation under MGNREGA, amounting to a staggering ₹1.23 crore. Charges have now been filed against 38 individuals, marking the climax of an 11-year investigation.
People Power Ignites Vigilance:
A groundswell of concern from vigilant citizens, including Pinki Maya, the treasurer of Sarvahara Vikas Manch Raxa Kanti, and advocates Arvind Kumar Singh, Ajay Kumar alias Ravindra Kumar Singh, and Ramesh Thakur, catalyzed the investigation through applications submitted during the Chief Minister’s public forum.
Bhagalpur’s Financial Maelstrom:
Meanwhile, Bhagalpur undergoes meticulous scrutiny for MGNREGA projects totaling ₹20 crore. Discrepancies identified in this fiscal year’s financial records are under the microscope after their upload on the Management Information System (MIS). The ongoing investigation aims to untangle the intricacies of the identified irregularities, promising a thorough unraveling of the financial maelstrom.
