Congress seeks Gujarat Minister's dismissal over alleged MGNREGA scam
Addressing a press conference, Rajya Sabha member and party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil alleged 'a well-planned conspiracy to loot the MGNREGA funds meant for the rural poor labourers'.
Different work orders were issued and money was claimed multiple times against the same plot for different types of work, Mr. Gohil claimed.
Showing what he claimed to be documentary evidence, the Congress leader said the same plot was shown to be used for the construction of the flood drain, storm wall, dam, well and even for levelling the land and creating a forest through tree plantation.
'The funds were not only siphoned off in the name of work, but the material for the work was also supplied by Raj Constructions, a firm owned by the Minister's son Balwant Khabad,' Mr. Gohil said.
The Congress leader said MGNREGA funds were allocated mainly to ensure the employment of the rural jobless, while only a small amount was kept for the supply of material, that was to be bought from the supplier offering the lowest price.
'The contract to supply the material was awarded to the Minister's son though he was not the lowest bidder,' Mr. Gohil said.
The Congress leader also expressed shock over the Gambhira bridge collapse which led to the death of at least 12 people.
He alleged that it was the result of corruption prevailing in Gujarat under the BJP regime.
'Local people, including zila parishad members, had complained in writing against the dilapidated condition of the bridge as it was shaking but the authorities did not take any note,' Mr. Gohil said.
The Congress leader claimed that recently the joints and bearings of the bridge were repaired at a huge cost. 'There should be an inquiry to find out what went wrong despite a huge amount of money spent on its repair,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Kangana concerned over ‘lack of respect' for MPs
Bollywood actor and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut in a recent interview roughed many of her party leaders after she expressed concern about lack of respect and resources for MPs. The national award-winning actress said she had implied that she was not enjoying her work as an MP as people would came to her with 'panchayat-level problems'. 'If you are an MP, you cannot be in the profession if your are an honest person,'' she said. When asked if she expected to be part of the Union Cabinet, Kangana said she expected to get a portfolio. She said after her contributions toward the people and the Centre, she believes she should have been assigned a ministry. Mann praises 2 Cong MLAs in the assembly 2: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann showered praises on two Congress MLAs in the recent special Assembly session; the legislators being Pargat Singh from Jalandhar (Cantonment) and Rana Gurjit Singh from Kapurthala. The CM 'As Captain of the Indian hockey team, he (Pargat) witnessed the Tricolour being raised during international hockey competitions.'' He also praised Rana Gurjit, calling him 'Bapu' (father-figure) . Both Congress legislators were left surprised by the CM's words of affection. Pargat and Rana have been critical of Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa.
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
Harish slams Revanth over constant flip-flops
Hyderabad: BRS senior leader T Harish Rao launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy accusing him of compromising the interests of Telangana and misleading its people. Addressing a press conference here at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao said that Revanth Reddy, who leaked to the media that he would boycott a Delhi meeting if Andhra Pradesh's Banakacharla project was discussed, rushed to Delhi at midnight. What prompted this sudden trip? What secret understanding was reached in the dead of night? Earlier, Revanth Reddy declared in the Assembly that he would not attend the NITI Aayog meeting. Yet later, he did attend it. Even a chameleon would feel ashamed at his constant flip-flops, alleged Harish Rao. Pointing out that in today's press meet, Revanth falsely claimed that Banakacharla was not on the agenda. In reality, it was the first item on the agenda. While Andhra Pradesh Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu confirmed discussions on Banakacharla and the formation of a committee, Revanth denied any such discussion. Is this the level of honesty expected from a Chief Minister? Telangana's people elected Revanth Reddy to protect their interests, not to serve Andhra Pradesh or pay political 'guru dakshina' to Chandrababu Naidu. The truth is like fire; it cannot be hidden. Harish Rao demanded that Revanth apologise to the people of Telangana for misleading them. 'Revanth Reddy's fabrications amount to betrayal. He is proving himself to be a traitor to Telangana, while Uttam Kumar Reddy plays along,' he said. He accused the Congress government of running under the remote control of BJP and TDP. 'Even Congress MLAs admit that TDP agents have infiltrated their cadre. Revanth, who earlier said there was no point in a meeting on Banakacharla, has now agreed to the formation of a committee,' Harish Rao questioned. Harish Rao pointed out that the Central Water Commission, GRMB, and the Polavaram Project Authority had all rejected the pre-feasibility report for Banakacharla. 'These statutory bodies, created through Parliament, denied approvals. How then did the Centre convene this meeting? Why did Revanth agree to a committee? His actions are nothing short of signing a death warrant for Telangana,' Rao asked. He warned that as long as K Chandrashekar Rao and BRS were present, they would not tolerate any injustice to Telangana. 'Both BJP and Congress are working against the interests of Telangana,' he added. Harish Rao concluded with a demand, 'Revanth must offer an unconditional apology to the people of Telangana for today's betrayal. BRS will never accept Banakacharla under any circumstances. We demand an all-party delegation to Delhi. For us, the state's interests are paramount, not petty politics.'
Hans India
3 minutes ago
- Hans India
BC reservations are historic, says Cong leader
Hyderabad: Sircilla district Congress leader Nevuri Venkat Reddy stated that the ordinance to be issued by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's government, providing 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies, will go down in history. He addressed the media on Wednesday at the MLA Colony, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills. He said that despite the good work being done by CM Revanth Reddy, opposition leaders are resorting to protests and demonstrations, which should now come to an end. He remarked that although many governments have come and gone in the past, none could determine the exact population of BCs. However, under the initiative of CM Revanth Reddy and PCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, a comprehensive BC caste census was completed, as per the directive of Rahul Gandhi. With this census completed, the entire country is now looking towards the 'Telangana Model,' he said. He further mentioned that with 42% reservations in local body elections, the BC community would be indebted to the Congress government and that it would open up significant political opportunities for them. He criticized the opposition parties for spreading misinformation and said that the BRS party, which was in power for ten years and did nothing for the BCs, is now engaging in new dramas in the name of protests and agitations. He concluded by stating that ever since the Congress party came to power, many beneficial schemes have been implemented for the poor — such as free electricity, Rythu Bharosa (Farmer Support), Mahalakshmi Scheme, subsidized gas, and fine rice distribution — and that these schemes are being well-received by the public.
