Rampant irregularities found in MPLAD-funded rural projects

Jaipur: Several irregularities pointing to corruption were observed by an independent third-party inspection conducted on works undertaken with MP local area development (MPLAD) funds as well as panchayat-level projects.
From construction of abysmally poor quality roads to 'progressing' works that have not yet started and inflated figures, the independent survey, initiated by the rural development department, gave a picture of the stark reality of projects in rural areas when reports from eleven districts came in.
During the physical audit and quality check, agencies noted that shoddy work was rampant across all sectors, hinting at large-level corruption.
As per the inspection report, not even a single stone has been laid for the construction of a hall in a hostel for farmers' children in Nagaur district -- claimed to be officially 'progressing' -- even though money has been sanctioned for the project.
Similarly, the district administration's claim to have planted 2,762 trees was laid bare by the physical audit which found only 279 plants. The districts in eastern Rajasthan were the worst offenders, according to the audit. In Dholpur district, a road connecting Loharpur and Patinpur villages was shown as 'constructed'. But only the gravel was seen spread on the stretch, that too not levelled and rolled in proper fashion, by the inspection team. Similarly, a 10-kilometre-long connecting road from Dhanora to Bhadi village was found to be substandard.
The situation was equally alarming in the state capital too. A road in Sanganer panchayat, connecting Galandro Ki Dhani to Gandro, was incomplete and found to be inferior with the road layer measuring only 14mm against the set 2cm standard.
"Out of the 33 districts, audit was done only in 30. So far, we have reports from 11 districts and are waiting for the rest from agencies. Irregularities have been found in several projects by the independent third-party inspection. Some of these works come done under the MPLAD scheme while others have been undertaken by panchayats," said an official.
"Based on these observations, CEOs of all 'zila parishads' have been asked to issue notices and submit action reports to us," added the official.