Shockingly, 140 MNREGA Job Cards Issued to People Who Never Worked: Funds Deposited and Withdrawn, Investigation Underway

Residents of Fudeda village in Vijapur Taluka, Mehsana district, have accused local authorities of embezzling lakhs of rupees in various works carried out under the MNREGA scheme from 2019 to 2022. It has been alleged that 140 job cards were created in the village, with payments made to the accounts of individuals who never participated in any MNREGA work. These funds were then allegedly withdrawn by unknown persons. 

A vigilant youth from the village suspected irregularities in the MNREGA works and uncovered the issue after investigating the details online. Following complaints by the villagers, the District Rural Development Agency has initiated an investigation. 

If a thorough probe is conducted, similar irregularities might surface in other villages of the district as well. What exactly is the issue, and what are the villagers saying about these irregularities? Let’s delve deeper into the matter.

What is the Entire Issue?

Fudeda village in Vijapur Taluka of Mehsana district is at the center of controversy. Between 2019 and 2022, various works, including the construction of a pond, were carried out in the village under the MNREGA scheme. For these projects, job cards were issued to around 140 villagers. 

Recently, a vigilant youth from the village, Tarun Patel, discovered that the MNREGA works in his village were allegedly carried out using machines instead of manual labor. Intrigued, he checked the details on the official MNREGA website and found shocking information: the wages were credited to the accounts of those who were issued job cards. 

However, upon visiting and questioning these individuals, it was revealed that they had not received a single rupee.

Funds Deposited Without Work: A Major Corruption Allegation

In a conversation with Divya Bhaskar, village youth Tarun Patel revealed startling information about the MNREGA scheme in Fudeda. After inspecting the official MNREGA website, he found that more than 140 job cards were issued in the village, with records showing that the individuals had supposedly worked under the scheme. 

However, in reality, no MNREGA work was carried out by these villagers. Despite this, funds were deposited into their bank accounts, but the villagers themselves never received any money. Instead, the funds were withdrawn by unknown individuals without the villagers’ knowledge. 

Tarun Patel described this as one of the largest corruption cases in Gujarat, where attendance was marked both online and offline for work that was never done.

Villagers Were Taken to the Bank and Had Accounts Opened Without Knowledge

Fudeda village resident Chauhan Fulaji Somaji shared his experience with Divya Bhaskar, shedding light on the depth of the MNREGA scam. He mentioned that when villagers started discussing how their money had been withdrawn, he decided to investigate and found that his money had also been taken. 

Upon checking, it was discovered that approximately ₹70,000 to ₹75,000 had been withdrawn from his account, even though he had never participated in any MNREGA work or been called for any job.

Fulaji further explained that villagers were told that road work would be carried out in the village, and as part of this, they were asked to open bank accounts. Around ten villagers, including Fulaji, were taken to a bank in Ladol in a vehicle. 

At the bank, their documents were photocopied, and their signatures were obtained. After that, they were sent home, but none of them ever received any money from the scheme.

Villagers Shocked as Money Was Deposited and Withdrawn Without Their Knowledge

Chauhan Kalaji, a resident of Fudeda village, expressed his disbelief to Divya Bhaskar, revealing that he was unaware of even having a job card under the MNREGA scheme. Yet, money was deposited into his account and then mysteriously withdrawn. Kalaji explained that it was only after visiting the bank that he learned about these transactions. 

He was never offered any work, nor was he taken anywhere to work. Villagers were initially told that road construction and other improvements would be made in the village, and they were taken to open bank accounts. 

After their Aadhaar cards and signatures were collected, accounts were opened, but they were never given ATM cards. Despite never having done any work, ₹75,000 was deposited into his account, only to be withdrawn by unknown individuals.

No Money Received Despite Opening Bank Accounts, Say Villagers

Gangaben’s husband, Rajuji, a resident of Fudeda village, shared his ordeal with Divya Bhaskar. He mentioned that they were told that roads and drains were going to be constructed in the village, and on this pretext, his wife’s documents were collected. 

Rajuji clarified that they didn’t deposit any money themselves, yet they were taken to Ladol, where their thumbprints were taken, and they were then sent back. Despite opening the bank accounts, they were neither given ATM cards nor any other bank-related materials. Rajuji emphasized that they haven’t received even a single rupee from the scheme.

Who Exploited the Villagers’ Innocence?

According to the accounts of Fudeda villagers, they were misled into opening bank accounts under the pretense of village development work, such as road and drainage construction. However, after the accounts were opened, the villagers were neither provided with ATM cards nor passbooks. 

This indicates a deliberate attempt to keep them unaware of the financial transactions happening in their names. Given the systematic nature of the fraud, it is highly likely that more than one individual was involved in this scheme, exploiting the villagers’ trust and innocence for financial gain.

MNREGA Work Halted for Over a Year in the Village: Talati

Maulikbhai Darji, the current Talati of Fudeda village, stated that MNREGA work has been halted in the village for the past year and a half. He mentioned that there is currently no need for any work under the scheme. 

Darji further explained that to initiate MNREGA projects in the village, a Gram Sabha is convened, where the villagers’ demands are discussed and decisions are made accordingly. These decisions are then forwarded to the Taluka level for approval, and only after receiving permission at the district level does the MNREGA work begin.

District Rural Development Agency Orders Investigation

H.M. Chavda, Director of the Mehsana District Rural Development Agency, confirmed that they have received a complaint regarding irregularities in the MNREGA work in Fudeda village, Vijapur Taluka. 

In response, the district has formed an impartial team of officials to conduct a thorough investigation. Based on the findings of this team, disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible. Chavda also mentioned that if similar complaints arise from other villages in the district, they will be investigated in the same manner. 

Additionally, he noted that since the term of the Lokpal ended on May 26, 2024, this investigation will be carried out by an administrative team with technical and engineering expertise. Typically, such investigations are conducted by the Lokpal.

Even the Dead Were Shown Working on Paper in Vadodara!

The irregularities in the MNREGA scheme are not limited to Mehsana district alone. A bizarre case recently emerged from Samsabad village in Vadodara district, where a deceased woman’s job card was created under the MNREGA scheme. 

Despite her passing away two years prior, her name was listed on the master roll for 75 days, and over ₹17,000 in wages were paid. To make matters worse, all the money was withdrawn using an ATM without the knowledge of the deceased’s family. 

The woman’s son was shocked when he received a message about the withdrawal. This shocking fraud led to a formal complaint being registered at the Varana police station in the district.