MGNREGA Scheme Fraud Blame Intensifies in Punjab after sharp remarks from Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. MGNREGA Scheme Fraud became the centre of debate when Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond responded within minutes, stating that the corruption took place during previous governments and not under the current AAP administration.
Sond said the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had launched a strong crackdown on the irregularities. He confirmed that the state suspended 23 officials involved in wrongdoing committed under earlier regimes. He added that the government recovered ₹2 crore from those linked to the corrupt practices.
Sond highlighted that disciplinary action began this year against 10 officials who played a role in the irregularities. He said the AAP government wants full transparency and strict accountability in the scheme’s implementation across rural districts.
The minister appealed to Union Minister Chouhan to immediately release ₹250 crore pending with the Centre under the MGNREGA programme. He said that timely release of funds will help the state run employment works smoothly and provide assured livelihood support to rural households.
Sond reaffirmed that the Mann government remains committed to clean governance and corrective action.
