Nabarangpur, Sept 11 [UDN}:A block-level Social Audit Public Hearing Camp under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was held on Monday at the conference hall of Dabugam Block in Nabarangpur district.
Nabarangpur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Bishwajit Barman attended the programme and explained in detail how the scheme aims to provide employment opportunities to people within their own local areas so that they do not have to migrate outside the district in search of work as migrant labourers. He also highlighted the main objectives and importance of the employment guarantee scheme.
Dabugam Block Chairperson Bina Majhi also attended the programme and discussed various aspects of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. She appealed to the officers and employees working under the scheme to carry out their responsibilities properly and accurately and ensure that employment is provided to eligible job card holders. She stressed that special attention should be given to ensuring that people from the district do not have to leave their homes and migrate elsewhere for work due to a lack of local employment opportunities.
Dabugam Block Development Officer (BDO) Samir Patra also participated in the programme and discussed the findings of the social audit. It was stated that action and penalties could be initiated under Section 27 of the MGNREGS Act against those found responsible for violations or irregularities. The Sub-Collector reportedly directed the BDO to take appropriate action in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Among others, Dabugam Zone-1 Zilla Parishad Member Gupta Bishoi, Zone-2 Zilla Parishad Member Dhansingh Bhatra, committee members, Dabugam Block BJD President Surendra Mishra, and Sanjay Padhi were present at the programme.
Officials and employees from various departments, along with job card holders, were also present before the dais. A detailed review was conducted of the works undertaken under the scheme.
During the public hearing, several issues and alleged irregularities relating to the implementation of various schemes and MGNREGS works in different panchayats were discussed. In Junapani Panchayat, as well as in Badaolama and Nandapura Panchayats, it was alleged that money had been transferred in the names of deceased job card holders in connection with scheme-related works. The funds were later reportedly returned to the government account.
The matter of how payments were transferred in the names of deceased persons was discussed in detail, and the officials concerned were questioned. The Additional District Magistrate reportedly warned that if similar incidents come to light in the future, strict action would be taken against those responsible.
The meeting also discussed the boundary wall construction work at Badaolama School, where approximately 75 per cent of the work had reportedly been completed while the remaining 25 per cent was still pending.
In Chacharaguda Panchayat, the authorities reviewed allegations that job card holders had not been provided employment under the scheme during the past six months and that irregularities had occurred in the execution of works.
In Jabaguda, the Additional District Magistrate expressed dissatisfaction over allegations that payments had been processed based only on the signature of the Gram Rozgar Sevika, without the signatures of the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) and the Sarpanch. Concern was also expressed over the alleged arbitrary functioning of some Panchayat Executive Officers, and they were reportedly asked to explain their conduct.
The public hearing further reviewed alleged irregularities in works undertaken under the scheme in various panchayats of Dabugam Block. Discussions were held on measures to prevent such deviations and irregularities from recurring in the future.
District Social Auditor Baibhasuta Chalana discussed the various issues raised during the programme. The event was coordinated by Block Additional Programme Officer Prakash Suna, who also extended the vote of thanks to all participants.
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