Serious flaw in MGNREGA implementation in MP: Audit report

BHOPAL: Serious irregularities like non-submission of utilisation certificates and delay in payment of wages to beneficiaries among others have come to notice in an official report on the implementation of MGNREGA scheme in Madhya Pradesh.

It was also found that the state government was not following necessary budgetary procedures while seeking grant from the Centre under the flagship programme.

It was noticed during the inspection in eight districts that the ratio of expenditures for labour and materials have not been followed and more than 40 per cent of the amount of Rs 19.5 crore has been spent on purchasing, the report by Accountant General (AG) office said.

As per guidelines, a ratio of 60:40 has to be followed while spending money on labour and material under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Scheme.

From 2010 till March 2012, the State Government had spent about Rs 162 crore on purchase of material for the implementation of the scheme, it said.

The report found that an extra amount of Rs 371.38 crore was lying with the Madhya Pradesh National Rural Employment Guarantee Council in addition to about Rs 1,543 crore with the district administrations.

"States should demand the amount which is required by them. They should keep this in mind while making budgetary proposals seeking grants for the scheme," the report, which was accessed by social activist Ajay Dubey under RTI, said. MGNREGA guarantees job of at least 100 days for an individual living below the poverty line. It ensures a minimum wage of Rs 100 for the beneficiary.

The cost of the scheme is shared between the Centre and the state in the ratio of 90:10.