The social audit meeting of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), held at Shettihalli in Hassan taluk on Friday, was marked by allegations of corruption against officers and heated exchange of words between residents and elected representatives.
A few residents, allegedly in an inebriated state, constantly disrupted the meeting, forcing officials to take repeated breaks at the meeting.
The meeting was organised as part of a social audit of the MNREGA works, conducted by the Association for Social Transparency, Rights and Action (ASTRA), a non-governmental organisation.
As M.C. Chandran, executive director of ASTRA, began the meeting, a section of participants alleged that works were being executed by hired machinery and wages were not paid properly. A few even alleged that they were issued job cards only a day before the NGO took up the survey in the village. A handful of residents, who were allegedly in an inebriated state, repeatedly obstructed the meeting by raising their voice against officers. They claimed contractors were looting money by paying a paltry sum to job card holders. “Our bank accounts were credited with wages though we did not work. Contractors asked us to withdraw the money from our accounts and pay them,” they claimed.
Mr. Chandan urged participants to stay calm and register their complaints, so that he is able to submit the social audit report to the government. However, nothing was heard in the din.
Mari Joseph, a Right to Information activist and resident of Shettihalli, said the disturbances created by a section of residents spoiled the social audit meeting.
“Officers would benefit if the meeting is not conducted properly as there would be no opportunity to register complaints. No worker was paid the mandatory Rs. 3 a day towards construction equipment. This itself would prove that the officers executed works using machinery, not labourers,” he said.
The social audit of MNREGA is being conducted in Hassan taluk on a pilot basis.
Shettihalli Gram Panchayat president Shanthamma, panchayat development officer Tammana Gowda and members of the panchayat were present.
Residents allege contractors are looting money by paying a paltry sum to job card holders
It was a pilot meeting conducted by ASTRA, a non-governmental organisation