Chhattisgarh EOW Files Charges Against Former Officials Over MGNREGA Irregularities
The Economic Offences Wing in Chhattisgarh has filed a significant charge sheet against eight former panchayat officials, alleging financial misconduct under the MGNREGA scheme. The case involves irregularities amounting to ₹1.69 crore, with accusations of bypassing procurement processes and misusing official positions. This investigation highlights serious concerns regarding government procurement practices and accountability. Read on to discover the details of the allegations and the implications for the involved officials.
Jul 28, 2026, 16:17 IST
Charges Filed in MGNREGA Financial Misconduct Case
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh has submitted a comprehensive 6,000-page charge sheet against eight former officials of a local panchayat, alleging financial irregularities amounting to ₹1.69 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This charge sheet was presented to a special judge on July 27 in Kanker, addressing violations under sections 120B, 409, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the EOW's statement, the irregularities occurred during the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08. During this period, various materials were procured under the rural employment scheme, including flex boards, muster roll verification sheets, employment guarantee manuals, employment registers, file covers, and labor information sheets.
Investigators have claimed that these purchases were made without adhering to the established tendering and procurement processes. The inquiry revealed that the then-CEO of the Kanker district panchayat had implemented a centralized purchasing system at the district level, contrary to government regulations that grant local panchayats the autonomy to procure materials independently. The agency noted violations of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat (Procurement of Materials and Goods) Rules, Chhattisgarh Store Procurement Rules, and other established procurement procedures. It is alleged that the officials colluded to misuse their positions, resulting in a loss of ₹1,69,14,247 to the government. Of the total alleged irregularities, ₹39.90 lakh were linked to the Kanker district panchayat, while the remaining ₹1.29 crore involved seven other panchayats: Kanker, Narharpur, Charama, Antagarh, Koylibeda, Bhanupatrapur, and Durgkondal.