BJP asks CM Mann to release MGNREGA White Paper

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann should release a White Paper on the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MANREGA) in the State over the last 10 years, BJP leader Paramjit Singh Kainth said on Monday.

Kainth, State vice-president of the BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha, demanded a time-bound, high-level inquiry and said that the Government should place district-wise, block-wise and gram panchayat-wise data in the public domain, including the job cards issued, employment provided, payments made and social audit details.

This was necessary to ensure accountability and transparency, he said. Kainth alleged that complaints and audit reports over the years pointed to issues such as fake or duplicate job cards, inflated muster rolls, payments without work, incomplete projects and inclusion of ineligible or deceased persons as beneficiaries.

He said the White Paper should mention inquiries conducted, FIRs registered, recoveries made and action taken against erring officials.

Kainth welcomed the enactment of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, describing it as a major reform in rural employment and infrastructure development.