CBI registers three new cases in MNREGS in Uttar Pradesh

NEW DELHI: CBI has registered three cases of alleged irregularities in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme ( MGNREGS) in Mahoba, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Following the registration of cases, CBI carried out searches at 17 residential and business premises of public servants and suppliers across the state.

"The CBI has registered three cases relating to allegation of cheating; criminal breach of trust; misappropriation of funds as well as the abuse of official power under MGNREGS... on the orders of High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench dated January 31, 2014," CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said here today.

She said first case has been registered against the then Block Development Officer of Charkhari, Kabrai, Jaitpur and Panwari blocks of District Mahoba, Lucknow-based private firm and unknown officials of UP Government and others.

The second case has been registered against then Chief Development Officer; the then Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) of Balrampur district, unknown officials of UP Government and unknown suppliers, she said. The third Case has been registered against the then Chief Development Officer, then Project Director, DRDA, both of Gonda district, unknown officials of UP Government and unknown suppliers and others, the spokesperson said.

"Searches were conducted...at Lucknow, Gonda, Balrampur, Kanpur, Jaipur and at one place at Orai. Rs 51 lakh in cash was recovered from the residence of then District Magistrate, Balrampur. Incriminating documents and articles have also been recovered during these searches," Prasad said.