Differences have emerged between Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargav and Additional Chief Secretary Aruna Sharma on the issue of taking action against the then Barwani Collectors and district Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for alleged financial irregularities under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in Barwani district.
The State Government had on Tuesday terminated five Sub-Engineers and suspended six others after major financial irregularities surfaced in MNREGA.
Notably, taking soft stand towards role of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers, the additional chief secretary has said that the district collectors and CEO do not have direct involvement in the works done under MNREGA.
The engineers of Public Works Department are directly responsible for construction works under MNREGA and its monitoring, that is why the Government has taken action against them, Additional Chief Secretary Aruna Sharma noted on Wednesday, adding that action will be taken against the collector and the CEO if they are found guilty in the enquiry report.
On the other hand, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargav said that he is resolved to take action against the officers found guilty for the huge irregularities in MNREGA. Bhargav has reportedly said that he has already given orders to take action against the IAS officers.
Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh took the opportunity to come down heavily against the State Government.
“The corruption under MNREGA has been exposed by a minister of this Government. However, after the statement of Aruna Sharma, it seems that there is a large possibility that the matter will be hushed without proper investigation,” Singh said.
Two IAS officers, Renu Tiwari and Santosh Mishra served as collectors in Barwani when the irregularities under MNREGA were done. Besides, Rajesh Shukla was the CEO in the same period.