2 panchayat workers booked for using JCBs for MGNREGA works

RAMGARH: An FIR was lodged against two panchayat workers of Dewaria village under Patratu block of the district for deploying earth movers to dig dobhas (farm ponds) under MGNREGA. The use of machines has been restricted by the Jharkhand government for works under MGNREGA.
“Following directives of the district administration, officials of all the six blocks of the district started surprise inspections of MGNREGA works in villages to ensure guaranteed jobs to rural labourers who were rendered jobless during the lockdown and returned to the state,” an official said.
During an inspection, it was found that earth movers were used to dig four dobhas in Dewaria panchayat area. The BDO who inspected the works complained to police following which, an FIR was lodged against a panchayat sewak and a rojgar sewak of Dewaria.
Deputy commissioner Sandeep Singh said, “Block officials have been directed to ensure JCBs and other machines are not used for MGNREGA works. All works are to be completed manually by rural labourers holding job cards.”