Archive · 24 May 2025
NREGA Scam: Arrests Made, Congress Alleges Irregularities
Several people, including the sons of a Gujarat minister, were arrested for a scam related to a government jobs program called NREGA.
The program is supposed to help people get work in rural areas.
Officials are accused of giving money to companies that didn't deserve it and not following the rules about how much money should be spent on workers versus materials.
The opposition party, Congress, claims similar problems occurred in another district.
They say that too much money went towards buying materials, and not enough went towards paying the workers who were supposed to be doing the work.
A BJP member, who owns a material supply agency, denies these allegations.
Four individuals, including the sons of a Gujarat minister, were sent to judicial custody in the NREGA scam.
The scam is valued at Rs 71 crore, with 14 arrests made so far.
The Congress party alleges irregularities in NREGA in Panchmahal district, following similar issues in Dahod.
Congress claims the expenditure ratio of 60% on labor and 40% on material was not maintained in NREGA work in Jambughoda taluka of Panchmahal district.
Mayank Desai, a BJP member, denies the allegations, saying his agency supplies material based on officials' demands.
- Who
- Involves BJP members, government officials, and agencies supplying materials.
- What
- Scam involving the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) scheme.
- When
- Recent events and financial years 2021-22 to 2024-25
- Where
- Dahod and Panchmahal districts, Gujarat
- Why
- Allegations of financial irregularities and non-compliance with NREGA guidelines.
Congress Allegations
BJP Response
Irregularities in NREGA Scheme
Congress Allegations
Congress alleges that large sums of money were paid for materials supplied by BJP members in violation of NREGA rules in Panchmahal district.
BJP Response
BJP member Mayank Desai denies the allegations, stating that his agency supplies materials based on officials' demands and has no role in the development works.
Expenditure Ratio
Congress Allegations
Congress claims the expenditure ratio of 60% on labour and 40% on material was not maintained in Jambughoda taluka, Panchmahal.
BJP Response
N/A
- Total Scam Value
- Rs 71 crore
- Total Arrests
- 14
- People sent to judicial custody
- Four
- Material Expenditure (2021-22, Jambughoda)
- 79%
- Labour Expenditure (Overall, Jambughoda)
- 22%
- Expenditure on material in Jambughoda
- Rs 216 crore