Bhopal:
NREGA has always been touted as the UPAs flagship scheme but there have been a number of instances when the scheme has been misused by those who are dispensing funds.
IAS officers Sukhveer Singh and Chandrashekar Borkar both posted in Seedhi district in Madhya Pradesh, between 2006 and 2007, were charged with misappropriating nine crore rupees during this tenure.
Funds meant for NREGA, a scheme that ensures hundred days of work to the rural poor.
An inquiry revealed that under them finances were approved for projects that existed only on paper and bulk payments were made to workers on dates, like June 31, that don't exist.
The inquiry was conducted nearly three years ago still they enjoyed plum posts without facing any action.
Collectors KP Rahi and SS Ali also subjected to a departmental inquiry in 2008 for diverting three crores of NREGA funds ostensibly to buy photocopiers and mats for the panchayats.
Again, there was no action.
This in a state where as many as 33 bureaucrats are being investigated, including suspended IAS couple Arvind Joshi and Tinnu Joshi: A raid in their house last year threw up cash and properties worth a stupendous Rs 360 crore.
''Now that you have told me, I will look into the matter," said Narottam Mishra, Spokesperson, Madhya Pradesh Government.
''The Government of India has written several times to the state government to take action against them, to file an FIR against those who have siphoned off money. But so far nothing has been done," said Ajay Dubey, RTI Activist.
Madhya Pradesh has one of the worst development indicators in the country. In a state where the poor can barely make ends meet, schemes meant for them hardly make a difference to their lives. But it seems the schemes definitely help many officers get richer.
Recently, the MP government has drafted a tough anti-corruption bill.
Once it becomes law any accused public servant, serving or retired, will be tried by the fast-track court within a year.
But given so much evidence of inaction how will this law rise above mere tokenism?