Efforts to Stop Corruption in NREGS

Even after working for three months under NREGS the labourers from Oodpur Gelhwa gram panchayat of Badlapur block did not get the payment for the work they did in October 2008. The villagers made complaint about the same thrice to the block development officer, Badlapur, but to no avail. The problem was raised during gram sabha meeting. The organisation supported them and suggested to take the complaint to the higher authorities.

About 45 persons took the complaint to the SDM. He set the investigation team and visited the village. DDO, CDO, BDO, ADO-panchayat and Gram Panchayat Officer were present during the visit. After listening to the labourers, DDO strongly reprimanded the officers and the employees and convinced the villagers to provide them work and their balance payments. He also invited application forms for widow and old age pensions. The next day pension forms for 55 persons were filled and promise of paying the balance payment was made. Within a short period the balance payment was also made.

In this way the efforts of the organisation bore fruits and the people became aware of their rights and other Acts.