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Jairam for courts to expedite NREGA
Taking a cue from Andhra Pradesh, the Centre is mulling to set up special courts across the country for speedy disposal of the cases pertaining to enormous irregularities particularly swindling of funds in its flagship scheme, MNREGA.
Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said the Centre would approach the Supreme Court soon to consult for setting up special MNREGA courts to punish those found guilty of misusing funds meant for the rural poor.
This is not the first time that Ramesh has looked towards the courts as an answer to tighten the noose around violators of public related issues. During his stint as Environment Minister, he successfully initiated steps to set up the National Green Tribunal for disposal of environment related cases.
In fact, the move is a part of Ramesh's plans to reform the UPA's ambitious scheme that has so far failed to deliver adequate results despite being in existence since the last seven years. Just recently, the Minister had announced his keenness for getting the MNREGA schemes audited by the Controller Auditor General of India (CAG) to ensure transparency and accountability in the Rs 40000-crore project.
Referring to reports that the scheme is marred by corruption, particularly as was allegedly found in Uttar Pradesh, Ramesh was of the opinion that such courts would take the corrupt officials to the task.
Recently, Ramesh had written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati asking her to recommend a CBI probe against state officials for their alleged role into embezzlement of MNREGA funds.
Talking to reporters, he said, the concept of MNREGA courts has already been put into use by Andhra Pradesh where they would function from January next year.
"Andhra Pradesh has passed an ordinance in August this year for setting up special courts in order to ensure that officials against whom action is taking as a result of social audit do not use the judiciary to delay the process," he said.
"I think it is a good initiative and it is worthwhile adopting this system in other states. We will consult the Supreme Court in the matter as well."
According to the Andhra Pradesh Social Audit (Punishment of Corrupt Practices) Ordinance 2011, the corrupt persons and those indulging in irregularities would be noticed during the social audit of NREGS and the proposed law provides for arresting the accused.
The ordinance proposes to set up mobile courts to try the cases of corruption and punish the guilty at the earliest.
