Jharkhand PCC welcomes CBI probe into MGNREGA-related deaths

Jharkhand PCC today welcomed the Union rural development ministry's recommendation for CBI probe into two cases of murder, apparently related to corruption and wage demands in MGNREGA scheme.

"There are numerous instances of corruption cases in MGNREGA schemes and the CBI probe will unearth them," PCC general secretary-cum-spokesperson Sailesh Sinha said here.

"The recommendation has come as a deterrent to the authorities, who are responsible to implement schemes under MGNREGA," he added.

The first case pertained to the killing of Niyamat Ansari, a key aide of noted civil rights activist and a former member of Central Employment Guarantee Council (CEGC) Jean Dreze.

Dreze had complained to the union ministry that Ansari was murdered in Latehar district after he exposed siphoning of MGNREGA funds in Rankikala gram panchayat.

The second case was murder of one Subal Mahato, who was allegedly lynched by his employer for demanding revised wages in accordance with MGNREGA in Bokaro district.

Both the incidents took place in February/March this year.