Shillong, Apr 29: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (COMSO) on Monday demanded the immediate setting up of a magisterial or judicial inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds under the Demdema C&RD Block.
In a letter to Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills district, the COMSO said, “(We demand) institution of a High-Level Magisterial Inquiry, and preferably, a Judicial Inquiry, to independently and impartially investigate the alleged embezzlement, issuance of fake job cards, and misappropriation of wages.”
The COMSO also demand the immediate suspension of officials, including the DEO, pending inquiry, to prevent tampering with digital records and to ensure a fair investigation besides the conduct of a comprehensive audit of all job cards issued and wage disbursements made under the Demdema C&RD Block over the last five financial years.
“(We also demand) legal Prosecution against all individuals found guilty of financial fraud, misrepresentation, and criminal breach of trust,” it said while asserting the need for institutional reforms and safeguards, including stronger Aadhaar verification systems, regular third-party social audits, and a transparent grievance redressal mechanism to prevent future occurrences.
The COMSO has referred to verified data and grassroots-level reports, which alleged that there has been an alarming and unprecedented number of fake and illegal job cards issued under the said Block between the years 2020-2021 to 2024-2025.
The magnitude of this irregularity, coupled with the subsequent transfer of public wages into the accounts of ineligible or even non-existent individuals, constitutes a direct assault on the spirit of the MGNREGA Act, which was envisioned to uplift the rural poor with dignity and fairness.
“Detailed examinations reveal that: the number of Job Cards issued under Demdema C&RD Block has escalated abnormally, particularly in specific Village Employment Councils (VECs) such as Bhangarpar and Bangalkhata (Muslim), where the number of Job Cards surpasses even the voter population,” the COMSO said adding “Investigations point toward the possibility of organized fraudulent practices, allegedly spearheaded by certain officials, notably a particular Data Entry Operator, Shri Dildar Attaullah Reza, whose role demands urgent and thorough scrutiny.”
Further, it alleged cases of minor children being listed as job card holders, and wages being credited to non-eligible individuals through manipulated Aadhaar-linked accounts, have surfaced, indicating systemic manipulation at multiple levels.
