Congress Leader Detained in Rs 7.3 Cr MNREGA Scam in Bharuch

Bharuch, Gujarat – A political earthquake has rattled Bharuch as Congress leader and district vice-president, Hira Jotwa, was detained by the Crime Branch on Thursday morning in connection with a sprawling ₹7.30 crore scam plaguing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme. His detention from Supasi village signals a widening net of investigation into a scandal that has already seen the sons of a state government minister arrested, exposing what appears to be a deeply entrenched network of corruption.

The audacious MNREGA scam, which promises at least 100 days of wage employment to rural households, has allegedly siphoned off crores by fabricating work records and funneling funds directly to dubious agencies. The complaint specifically names Jalaram Enterprise and Muralidhar Agency, accusing them of orchestrating the embezzlement across 56 villages in the district. The allegations are stark: money was paid for work that was never done, raising serious questions about the complicity of officials and political figures.

“This isn’t just about a few rogue individuals; this points to a systemic failure and clear political patronage,” stated a local activist, who wished to remain anonymous fearing repercussions. “How can such a massive amount be siphoned off without the blessing of those in power? The common man is being robbed, and the very scheme meant to help the poor is being exploited.”

The Bharuch Crime Branch has intensified its probe, with District Police Chief Mayur Chavda forming a special team comprising three officers and six policemen to unearth the full extent of the fraud. This development in Bharuch echoes similar revelations in Dahod, where both sons of state government minister Bachu Khabad have already been jailed under the MNREGA scam, indicating a potential statewide nexus of corruption. Police investigations are actively underway in numerous villages across Bharuch, suggesting that the current figures might just be the tip of the iceberg.

Complaints of embezzlement have been officially registered in Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot, detailing the multi-crore fraud. The focus is on how funds were disbursed to contractual outsourced employees and the aforementioned agencies without actual work being performed on the ground. The scale of the scam, impacting 56 villages, has left many wondering about the chain of command and the beneficiaries of this illicit operation.

The MNREGA scheme, a flagship initiative designed to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing guaranteed employment, is now synonymous with scandal in this part of Gujarat.