Addressing the issue, Mann said that earlier, attendance under MGNREGA was often marked manually in temporary registers, a system he claimed was misused by officials to siphon off funds meant for rural workers. According to the chief minister, these practices resulted in widespread exploitation, depriving labourers of their rightful wages while public money was allegedly misappropriated.
Mann stated that after coming to power, his government ordered investigations into such cases and initiated action against those found responsible. He maintained that accountability had been fixed wherever wrongdoing was established, signaling what he described as a decisive break from past governance failures.
Taking aim at opposition parties, the chief minister accused them of presiding over a system that allowed corruption to thrive at the expense of the poor. He said his administration does not believe in “eating into the money meant for the poor,” but instead remains committed to safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of rural workers who depend on welfare schemes like MGNREGA.
The chief minister’s remarks come amid ongoing political sparring in Punjab over governance, transparency, and the implementation of social welfare programs. Mann emphasized that ensuring honest delivery of benefits to the poorest sections of society remains a central priority of his government.
By highlighting action against alleged irregularities in MGNREGA, the Punjab government is seeking to reinforce its stance on clean administration and welfare-oriented governance, while framing the issue as a broader fight to protect public funds and restore trust in flagship employment schemes.
About The Author
Comment List