Nagaland Congress Raises Alarm Over MGNREGA Fund Misappropriation

Concerns Over MGNREGA Fund Misuse in Nagaland

Dimapur, June 9: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has voiced serious concerns regarding troubling allegations of unauthorized deductions from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds meant for beneficiaries throughout the state. These claims involve the State Rural Development Department.

The NPCC condemned the actions of the Rural Development Department, labeling it as a “deplorable abuse of power.” They called on the department's minister and the state government to swiftly address this widespread corruption and ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable.

In a statement, the Pradesh Congress referenced recent public disclosures, notably a significant report by the Kacharigaon Phevima Village Council on June 7. This report has shed light on a troubling, ongoing issue in the state, where a considerable amount of MGNREGA funds—intended for rural welfare—are reportedly being siphoned off by department officials.

“This alarming trend of extortion, often presented as mandatory ‘commissions’ or ‘cuts,’ has become deeply ingrained within the department across Nagaland,” the NPCC remarked, emphasizing that it reflects a broader culture of corruption fostered by the state government.