AAP flags fresh MGNREGA corruption claims in Gujarat involving 22 lakh fake workers

Aam Aadmi Party leaders have raised fresh allegations of corruption under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) in Gujarat, claiming that another major fraud has surfaced even before the previously highlighted ₹2,500-crore case has been investigated.

According to the party, the concerns were outlined by AAP’s Chhota Udaipur District President Radhika Rathwa, who said that corruption in the state “has peaked under the current government.”

She noted that despite submitting documents related to the earlier ₹2,500-crore case, no action has been taken so far. The latest claim involves wages allegedly being issued to 22 lakh fake workers, said to exist only on paper, enabling agencies to withdraw large sums.

Rathwa sought answers from the state administration on the alleged withdrawals and questioned “under whose political protection” such transactions were made. She referred to the central government’s statement in Parliament acknowledging the misuse of fake job cards under the scheme.

She also asked on what documents these job cards were approved and later cancelled, calling for all related records to be made public. Rathwa alleged that programmes intended to provide 100 days of employment to tribal communities have been misused, claiming that agencies and intermediaries are siphoning funds.

The party said it has formally submitted documents and evidence linked to the latest set of allegations regarding MGNREGA.