Allegations of Corruption Emerge in Himachal Pradesh's MGNREGA Projects

Serious Corruption Claims in Solan District

Munish Sood
SOLAN: A shocking case of alleged widespread corruption has come to light in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, revealing significant irregularities in mining transportation and expenditures related to MGNREGA in the Malenhani panchayat of Nalagarh subdivision.

The allegations surfaced after a Right to Information (RTI) request was submitted by former panchayat pradhan Bagga Ram, who claimed that official documents indicate mining materials being transported in highly unlikely vehicles, including motorcycles and luxury cars like BMWs and Maruti Swifts.

Logistical Absurdities: 300 Cubic Feet of Sand on a Motorcycle?

Bagga Ram pointed out that the RTI findings included ludicrous entries in official records. For instance, one document reportedly showed a motorcycle transporting 300 cubic feet of sand, which is practically impossible. Additionally, luxury vehicles, not registered for such purposes, were allegedly listed in invoices as transport for mined materials.

“These entries are nonsensical and highlight the extent of corruption in local governance,” Bagga Ram stated. He also noted that a single vendor was consistently awarded contracts, with the same suspicious vehicle numbers appearing repeatedly in billing records. A formal complaint has been submitted to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Nalagarh, with a warning that legal action will follow if prompt measures are not taken.

MGNREGA Norm Violations

The former pradhan expressed concerns regarding the execution of MGNREGA projects, alleging that tasks meant for manual labor were predominantly carried out using machinery, violating the scheme's guidelines. He also highlighted the lack of essential financial documentation, such as sanctioned amounts and Measurement Book (MB) entries, indicating potential manipulation of project records.

Political Reactions: Congress Calls for Action

The allegations have triggered political responses throughout the area. Anmol Rana, vice-president of the Nalagarh Congress unit, labeled the situation as “alarming but not unprecedented.”

Rana has called for the immediate suspension of the panchayat pradhan and secretary, urging the district administration and local MLA to act swiftly to prevent further fraudulent activities.

Pradhan Denies Allegations, Claims Political Conspiracy

In response to the accusations, panchayat pradhan Salig Ram has dismissed all claims, asserting they are part of a politically motivated scheme. “All transportation was conducted using tractors. No cars or motorcycles were involved in the movement of sand or mining materials,” he claimed.

Salig Ram further accused Bagga Ram of financial impropriety during his tenure, alleging that in 2016, when Bagga Ram's wife was pradhan, Rs 14 lakh allocated under MGNREGA was misappropriated and deposited into a personal account. He mentioned that he has also filed a complaint with the BDO seeking an investigation into Bagga Ram's actions.