Smriti Irani’s grants misued in Anand

In a shocker for the state government, the Anand district collector has shot off a letter complaining about irregularities in implementation of grants allocated by Rajya Sabha (RS) MP from Gujarat and union minister Smriti Irani. 
 
Collector Dhaval Patel has stated Rs4.53 crore was released to a firm to carry out development work in rural areas, but it committed largescale irregularities.
 
Patel’s letter dated June 22 to the government, a copy of which is with dna, states an agency called Shri Sharda Majur Kamdar Mandli, a cooperative society of construction labourers, was allotted the work to construct public utilities in different villages of Anand district. 
 
The collector stated the project was originally given to Gujarat Gram Vikas Agency Ltd, Ahmedabad, an undertaking of the rural development department. Though it was declared a defunct body through a Government Resolution dated August 19, 2015, the then district planning officer had given the agency the development work in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and had made payment too. The planning officer subsequently issued an order to hand over the work to Shri Sharda Majur Kamdar Mandli.
 
The collector has reported the scam came to light during an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). As per the report, the agency received Rs23.5 lakh for construction of a panchayat building in 2015. However, this is against MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) rules which clearly lay down that funds are to be used for utilities meant for direct public use. Surprisingly, the next year, the Mandli claimed Rs45.2 lakh for the same building and the amount was sanctioned too. 
 
The Mandli also claimed payment for several other works in nine villages, including construction of protection walls in crematoriums, schools etc, but it was found that not a single brick had been laid at any of these places, though funds had been disbursed to them.
 
The collector has now formed a committee comprising senior government officers to investigate the case. While talking to dna, Patel said, “It is true irregularities have come to light and investigation has been handed over to the committee. Once the investigation report comes in, we will take appropriate action.”