Gauhati High Court: DVA to inquire into P&RD Scheme

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• Dec 27, 2021 | moderator

Digital Desk: The Gauhati High Court has asked the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVA) to look into the P&RD scheme. 

The justice bench comprising Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Malasri Nandi has asked the DVA to initiate the regular inquiry into the P&RD scheme. 

It has been alleged that there are irregularities in schemes like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), IAY etc. These schemes are under Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Assam.

The Gauhati High Court issued this order after hearing a PIL (19/2021). The Amguri Naba Nirman Samity filed the PIL. It asked for a high-level probe into the irregularities in different schemes in four districts of Assam. The four districts included- Sivasagar, Jorhat, Charaideo and Golaghat.

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The affidavit of the Vigilance and Anti-corruption indicated that the officers sought permission from the Secretary to the Government of Assam, Political (Vigilance Cell) Department on November 25, 2021, for a routine investigation.

The state attorney stated that Vigilance and Anti-corruption authorities authorized consent for starting a preliminary investigation into the alleged anomalies.

The order further stated that "since the State Government has already taken essential measures for inquiring into the matter. We are further of the opinion that maybe the matter may be closed with the observation and direction that the authority concerned will conclude the inquiry as early as possible. Preferably within a period of six months and take necessary consequential actions as per law."

The Vigilance and Anti-corruption team will begin the daily inspection of these schemes' work progress. This probe will also bring regularity in work under these schemes. In addition, this probe will further bring transparency of work done under government schemes and alert officials who are not accomplishing work properly.