Latest news with #MahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeAct
Hindustan Times
8 hours 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
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Implementation of government schemes reviewed at DISHA meeting in Dindigul
The implementation of Central and the State governments' schemes were reviewed at the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held at the Collectorate in Dindigul on Friday. The meeting was presided over by Dindigul MP R. Sachithanantham and Karur MP S. Jothimani. Mr. Sachithanantham said two main aspects were highlighted during the meeting. One was with regard to the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme and the other regarding the functioning of government schools. He said the MGNREGA scheme which provides 100 days of guaranteed employment and wages was an important scheme to alleviate poverty. A case study was conducted on its implementation in the district and to document it. Despite the issues with regard to the Centre's delay in releasing the funds, steps were being taken to effectively implement the scheme in the district, he said. On the functioning of government schools, he said they were functioning effectively and had achieved on a par with the private schools. The students of the government schools had fared well in the Class X and Class XII Public Examinations, he said. He added the government hospitals in the district were also functioning effectively. Referring to a recent case, he said a child had swallowed a safety pin. The parents had rushed the child to a private hospital for treatment. However, the child was referred to a government hospital where the safety pin was removed successfully, he said and appreciated the efforts taken by the authorities. Ms. Jothimani said the commitment of government schools was outstanding and they had beat all odds to achieve success. Steps were being taken to improve infrastructure in schools and provide smart classrooms. She said the authorities should ensure that it was implemented effectively. Dindigul Collector S. Saravanan, Vedasandur MLA S. Gandhirajan, Mayor Ilamathi Jothiprakash and other officials were present at the DISHA meeting.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Prayagraj's women lead the way with 46.71% workdays under MNREGA
1 2 Prayagraj: The state government's relentless efforts towards women's empowerment and employment have yielded impressive results in Sangam City. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), women's participation in total workdays generated has reached an encouraging 46.71 per cent. A total of 1.60 crore jobs (manav diwas) have so far been created under the MNREGA scheme across the state in the financial year 2025-26, out of which women contributed to the creation of more than 72 lakh jobs. The contribution of about 45 per cent is the highest so far. Interestingly, women are also proving helpful for MNREGA management and supervision. The number of women mates employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has increased in the current financial year. Over 5,500 women mates have been employed, marking a 3 percent rise from 41.87 per cent in 2024-25. Deputy commissioner (MNREGA) Gulab Chandra said, "As many as 6,112,887 jobs (manav diwas) have so far been created in the Prayagraj district during the financial year 2024-25. The percentage of workdays of women workers in the total workdays created has been 46.71%, which is more than the state average." He said, "The responsibility of rozgar sevak (women mate) given to rural women under MNREGA is bringing a big change in their lives." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Chandra said as many as 852 women mates were employed in the district in the financial year 2024-25. The govt provides an honorarium of Rs 325 per day to these women mates. In this way, it turned out to be a source of additional income for them along with their household work. Namrata Devi, a resident of Arjun Patti Gram Panchayat of Handia development block of the district, says that her husband Akhilesh works in a rubber factory, but the basic needs of the house were not met. After being appointed to the job of a mahila mate in MNREGA, she is able to get extra money every month and manages the house smoothly. Sushila Devi, a resident of Jagua Sodha Gram Panchayat of Handia development Khand, claims, "Despite her work as a welder, the education of two children and household expenses were not met with this amount." She said that with the income she gets from MNREGA mate, she is able to cover the education expenses of her children.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
MGNREGA verdict in, but tug of war between Centre, state lingers in Bengal
In a landmark judgment last week, the Calcutta High Court directed the Centre to resume the implementation of the stalled MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1 Ishita Ayan Dutt Sanjeeb Mukherjee New Delhi Listen to This Article Even as both the TMC and the BJP claim 'victory' after the Calcutta HC's order on resumption of MGNREGA in the state, political fault lines are likely to widen before Assembly polls next year, explain Ishita Ayan Dutta & Sanjeeb Mukherjee In a landmark judgment last week, the Calcutta High Court directed the Centre to resume the implementation of the stalled Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal from August 1, prospectively. The Centre had put on hold the release of funds under the scheme since March 9, 2022, in accordance with the provisions under section 27
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Business Standard
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Nitish Kumar's mega pre-poll push: Pension raised to ₹1,100 monthly
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced a major hike in the monthly pension for the elderly, disabled persons, and widowed women—from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The revised amount will be disbursed starting July and is set to benefit over 10.9 million people across the state under the Social Security Pension Scheme. 'I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of ₹1,100 instead of ₹400 every month,' said Chief Minister Kumar. 'All the beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot,' he added. Stressing the government's commitment to welfare and social equity, Kumar stated, 'The elderly are a precious part of society and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority. The state government will continue to make efforts in this direction.' The hike marks a nearly threefold increase and comes at a critical political juncture as Bihar heads to Assembly elections later this year. With the Janata Dal (United) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aiming to fortify their electoral base, the announcement is being seen as a targeted measure to reach out to vulnerable segments of the population. In another administrative push towards decentralised governance, the Bihar government has also expanded financial powers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Now, village heads (mukhiyas) have been authorised to sanction development schemes worth up to ₹10 lakh, doubling the previous cap of ₹5 lakh.
