Latest news with #MGNREGS
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Congress leader Heera Jotwa, son held in ₹7.3 crore MGNREGA rural jobs scheme case
Ahmedabad: Congress leader Heera Jotwa, his son Digvijay, and MGNREGA operator Rajesh Tailor were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in financial irregularities amounting to ₹ 7.3 crore in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, which provides 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households, police said. Started in 2005, MGNREGS was envisaged as a demand-based rural asset creation scheme to provide livelihood security through 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household. (Representative photo) A special investigation team (SIT) is probing the fraudulent diversion of funds meant for rural development projects in Hansot, in Gujarat's Bharuch district, an officer said. The financial irregularities, uncovered by the district rural development authority (DRDA), involved fake work completion certificates and forged documents, with funds transferred to accounts linked to the Jotwa family and others. 'Congress leader Heera Jotwa, his son Digvijay, and MGNREGA operator Rajesh Tailor were arrested on Friday,' Bharuch superintendent of police (SP) Mayur Chavda said. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi alleged political vendetta and demanded a judicial probe, while also calling for action against government officials who sanctioned the flawed works. Started in 2005, MGNREGS was envisaged as a demand-based rural asset creation scheme to provide livelihood security through 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every rural household. It has been described as a poverty alleviation, social security, infrastructure building, and participatory development programme. However, various studies have also pointed out leakages and failings in the programme due to poor implementation. Jotwa was summoned from his home in the Gir Somnath district on Thursday and brought to Bharuch, where a special SIT team has been probing the misuse of funds allocated for road construction and development works in 56 villages across the Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot talukas, a police officer requesting anonymity said. Also Read: Men dressed up in sarees to claim MNREGA funds in place of women The irregularities came to light following a detailed audit that found glaring discrepancies in MGNREGA-funded projects, including the use of machines instead of manual labour, the supply of substandard materials, and inflated billing by contractors. Police said more arrests may follow in the coming days. Jotwa, a prominent leader from the Saurashtra region, had contested the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections from Keshod and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Junagadh. The Bharuch district administration lodged an FIR on May 30 after receiving the audit findings, and an SIT was formed to investigate the matter.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hindupur MP calls for coordination between officials and public representatives
Hindupur MP B.K. Parthasarathi on Friday called on the officials and public representatives to work in coordination, 'which is essential in ensuring effective implementation of Central government welfare schemes across Sri Sathya Sai district'. The MP, who is the chairperson of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA), was chairing the panel meeting at the Collectorate here, along with District Collector T.S. Chetan. Key discussions focused on agriculture, pensions, housing, MGNREGS, fisheries, and national highways. The MP stressed on resolving issues caused by flaws in previous land surveys, which had excluded some eligible beneficiaries. He highlighted the success of the 'Thalliki Vandhanam' scheme and asked officials to ensure that the benefits reached all eligible mothers. He stressed on the need for prompt disbursement of benefits under PM-Kisan and Annadata Sukhibhava schemes, clearance of insurance claims under PMSBY, and swift redressal of public grievances. Mr. Parthasarathi asked the officials to focus on the long-pending issues in the fisheries sector. The MP further reviewed the ongoing works related to the national highways in the district. He informed the officials to speed up the identification process for the removal of ineligible recipients of welfare schemes, while adding that the initiatives should reach genuine beneficiaries above caste or political affiliations. He further suggested setting up village-level grievance redressal cells for new ration cards.
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Urban demand moderates, rural demand shows improvement: RBI Bulletin
As per the RBI Bulletin, high-frequency indicators for May present mixed signals on aggregate demand. Urban demand showed signs of moderation as passenger vehicle sales declined with a sharp drop in entry-level segment. However, rural demand improved as evident from the increase in the retail sales of two-wheelers. During May 2025, household demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) picked up, following the pursuit of alternative avenues for employment in the pre-sowing lean agricultural period and an increase in MGNREGS wage rates. Petroleum consumption expanded for the first time in the last four months, driven by petrol. Unseasonal rains and premature onset of monsoon, however, led to a reduction in electricity demand. Overall economic activity remained robust in May 2025, with key high-frequency indicators like E-way bills, Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue, toll collections, and digital payments showing strong growth.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Union minister reviews central flagship schemes in Tripura's Unakoti district
Agartala, Union minister Raksha Nikhil Khadse on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the impact of central flagship schemes in Tripura's Unkoti district. Union minister reviews central flagship schemes in Tripura's Unakoti district The union minister of state for youth affairs and sports held a review meeting with key officials of the district administration in Kailashahar to review the implementation of central schemes. At the meeting, Khadse deliberated with public representatives and officials on the progress across sectors such as health and nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill development and basic infrastructure. She said Unakoti district has demonstrated remarkable strides in implementtion of various central sponsored schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana , Jal Jeevan Mission, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana , under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana , PM Kishan and Individual Household Latrines . Under MGNREGS, the district has generated 4.71 lakh person-days against a projected 5.68 lakh, indicating sustained employment, with 93 ideal "Amrit Sarovar" water bodies completed, the union minister was informed. Despite comprehensive progress, Khadse highlighted key areas for intensified focus on continued emphasis on border security and management, including resilient infrastructure development, especially after flood damage to fencing. She recommended a focused approach to eco-tourism development, leveraging Unakoti's unique heritage and natural beauty, while improving tourist amenities. Khadse also laid emphasis on boosting agricultural productivity by adopting innovative practices, climate-resilient farming, and widespread scheme adoption to bridge the food grain production gap. The union minister also stressed that targeted skill development for employability programmes aligned with local economic opportunities like bamboo and rubber are crucial to enhance youth employability and reduce migration. For improving educational infrastructure, she advised inspecting school toilet facilities and constructing essential boundary walls for improved safety and environment. She affirmed that with the central government's support, Unakoti will make a transition from an "aspirational" to an "inspirational" district, contributing significantly to the vision of a 'viksit Bharat'. Tripura's Youth Affairs & Sports Tinku Roy and MP Kriti Devi Debbarman were present at the review meeting. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Doddakombai tribal settlement in Erode district gets government bus facility
After decades of isolation, Doddakombai tribal settlement in Perumugai panchayat under the T.N. Palayam Panchayat Union finally got government bus connectivity on Tuesday (June 24, 2025). Home to over 100 Urali tribal families for more than 70 years, the hamlet lacked basic transport access until now. Residents had to walk nearly 10 km through the forest area to reach Kallipatti, the nearest location with bus services, to access hospitals, buy essential commodities, and attend school. Students often risked their safety walking long distances through the forest daily. Responding to the community's long-standing demand, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) extended its Gobichettipalayam–Athani bus service from Karumbarai Pudur to Doddakombai. The service will operate in the morning and evening, catering to the needs of both students and the public. The new service was flagged off on Tuesday by Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare M. Mathiventhan. He was joined by Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, Anthiyur MLA G. Venkatachalam, District Revenue Officer S. Santhakumar, and other officials, who travelled in the bus and received an enthusiastic welcome from the local residents. Doddakombai's residents primarily depend on collecting minor forest produce such as honey and broom grass for their livelihood. However, restrictions from the Forest Department had limited their access to forest resources, forcing many to rely on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and farm labour. The newly introduced bus service is seen as a major step toward improving mobility and access to essential services, marking a significant milestone in addressing the needs of the tribal population.
