'Corruption rampant in NREGS implementation'

ZP running short of funds to help farmers affected by drought: Srinivas

Addressing the mediapersons here on Wednesday, Srinivas said, rain has continued to play truant in the district, bringing sowing activities to a grinding halt. Sowing operation has not been completed in majority of the cultivable land in the district. In the major parts of the district farmers have not even commenced farming activities. And the activity cannot be undertaken as sowing season has also come to an end, as a result of which farmers have incurred heavy loss. The entire district has been affected by drought, he said.

Expressing Zilla Panchayat’s helplessness in coming to the rescue of farmers, he said, zilla panchayat is running short of funds to solve the problems and even government had not released funds.

Objective neglected

Accusing corruption in implementation of NREGS, he said that the objective of the programme is being neglected. Corruption is rampant in Srinivaspur, Mulbagal, Bangarpet taluks in the execution of NREGS. The real beneficiaries are left out of the programme, Srinivas lamented.

Claiming to have witnessed the malpractice in the implementation, he said that huge machines were being used to lift the slit from the lakes near Mulbagal. Secretaries of various gram panchayats and executive officers are hand in glove with contractors who are reaping the profit, he alleged.

Job cards are being distributed to the workers but they are deprived of the opportunity of drawing the money from the bank, he alleged.

Demanding for the inspection of the works carried out in NREGS, Srinivas said that stringent action against those who have misused the programme is necessary and added that warning had been give to officers in this respect.

A district should have an in-charge minister to convey the people’s problem to the government. But Kolar does not have an in-charge minister. Even the deputy commissioner is not present. This clearly shows that government has completely neglected the district.

CEO reaction

Chief Executive Officer G V Rangarao who was present on the occasion refused to respond to the president’s allegations.

 ‘NREGS is being effectively implemented in the district. But there is no proper publicity in the media’, he said.