In Dahod, a serious controversy has erupted over the MGNREGA scam involving two sons of state minister Bachu Khabad. The police have identified them as Balwant Khabad and Kiran Khabad, both of whom were previously jailed. They applied for bail in Dahod court, which was granted today. This case revolves around alleged corruption amounting to ₹71 crore in the MGNREGA scheme, which aims to provide employment to rural households.
The scam was uncovered when the director of the Dahod District Rural Development Agency filed a complaint about irregularities in the execution of MGNREGA projects in the Devgarh Bariya and Dhanpur areas. Following the complaint, Dahod police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of several officials and contractors.
Recently, the police arrested both sons of Minister Bachu Khabad, raising eyebrows in political circles. The allegations suggest that they exploited the MGNREGA scheme for personal gain, processing bills for work that was never completed. Reports indicate that they and their associated agencies, Raj Traders and Raj Construction, were involved in fraudulent billing for projects like check dams and roads without actual construction taking place.
This scandal has caused political turmoil in Dahod, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the area. Minister Khabad was reportedly kept away from the event due to growing concerns over his sons’ actions and the public backlash. Many leaders from the ruling party have distanced themselves from him, causing further speculation about his political future.
The MGNREGA scheme, established in 2005, was designed to provide guaranteed employment to rural families, ensuring at least 100 days of wage employment per year for each household. However, the ongoing investigation suggests that the scheme has been misused.
In the wake of these events, the opposition has intensified its scrutiny of the minister. Representatives from the Congress party have conducted fact-finding missions and uncovered that significant sums were siphoned off through fraudulent practices. It is believed that if further investigations are conducted, the total corruption could exceed ₹200 crore.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will affect the political landscape in Gujarat. The public’s reaction has been one of shock and disappointment, given that MGNREGA was intended to uplift rural communities. With the court granting bail to the minister’s sons, the scrutiny on their activities will likely intensify.
The Dahod MGNREGA scam is a reminder of the challenges facing public welfare schemes in India. It highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. Many are now calling for stricter measures to prevent such misuse of government schemes in the future, ensuring that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Leave a Reply