Ghost road, missing funds: Villagers allege Rs 6.5 lakh MGNREGA scam in Assam's Nagaon

Serious allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced in the implementation of development projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) at Tinisukia Gaon Panchayat in Assam's Nagaon district.

Residents of Ward No. 7 under the Tinisukia Gaon Panchayat, which falls under the Bagariguri Development Block in Juria, have accused a section of former panchayat representatives, contractors and officials of siphoning off government funds without completing a sanctioned road construction project.

According to local residents, the road was sanctioned under the Centre's flagship MGNREGA scheme with an allocation of Rs 6.5 lakh. However, they alleged that the construction work was left incomplete, leaving commuters to struggle on a half-built road that has become a major inconvenience for the locality.

The villagers claimed that despite the project remaining unfinished, those involved allegedly submitted fake utilisation certificates and forged official documents to show the work as completed. Based on these documents, they alleged, the entire sanctioned amount was withdrawn from the bank without executing the project.

The alleged irregularities have sparked widespread anger among local residents, who have demanded a high-level, impartial inquiry into the matter.

Members of the local community have urged the district administration and senior departmental authorities to intervene immediately, investigate the alleged misuse of public funds, identify those responsible and initiate strict legal action against anyone found guilty.

The villagers also demanded that the stalled road project be completed at the earliest to ensure that the intended development benefits reach the public.