A section of Left-leaning academics, trade unions and activist groups has launched a campaign opposing the Centre’s newly announced Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-GRAM-G Act, 2025, branding it as an attempt to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

As part of the campaign, a round-table meeting titled “Save MGNREGA, Reject VB-GRAM-G” has been convened at HKS Surjeet Bhawan in New Delhi on 8 January 2026. The poster circulated by organisers claims that the VB-GRAM-G Act has “completely uprooted” MGNREGA and undermined the principle of demand-based rural employment, describing the new legislation as a “final nail in the coffin” for rural welfare.

The mobilisation has drawn attention because of the individuals and networks associated with it. Economists and activists linked to Left political and academic circles are said to be backing the initiative, including Jayati Ghosh, a former professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and current chairperson of its Centre for Economic Studies and Planning. Ghosh has been a prominent critic of the Narendra Modi-led government’s economic reforms over the past decade.

pic.twitter.com/HVjw4kLs0a

— Jayati Ghosh (@Jayati1609) December 28, 2025

Supporters of the VB G RAM G Act have described the campaign as a familiar pattern of opposition activism, arguing that the material circulated so far relies on broad assertions rather than a detailed engagement with the text of the law or comparative data on outcomes. They point out that the poster does not cite specific provisions of the VB G RAM G Act, budgetary allocations, or implementation frameworks, instead framing the reform as an existential threat to rural employment.

Critics of the campaign have also highlighted Ghosh’s past political positions, noting that she was among academics who publicly criticised the government during the 2016 JNU campus protests and that her name, along with those of other Left leaders, had earlier surfaced in political controversies linked to protest movements. They further note that Ghosh is a contributor to international policy platforms such as the Institute for New Economic Thinking, which is funded by the Open Society Foundations, arguing that the same ideological ecosystem tends to mobilise whenever major governance reforms are introduced.

Organisers of the round-table, operating under the banner of the Joint Platform of Agricultural and Workers’ Unions’ and the NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, maintain that the meeting is intended to build opposition to what they see as a dilution of statutory employment guarantees and to chart a course of action to defend rural workers’ interests.

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The post ‘Save MGNREGA, Reject VB G RAM G’: Leftist Groups Launch Negative Campaign Against New Rural Employment Scheme appeared first on The Commune.

An elderly woman died after collapsing at a protest organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Coimbatore district, triggering sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The incident occurred near Ottarpaalayam in the Annur area of Coimbatore district during a DMK-led protest against amendments introduced by the Union government to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The protest was organised by the Coimbatore South DMK unit under the arrangements of Annur North Union DMK secretary Palanisamy.

According to reports, thousands of people participated in the demonstration. Several elderly persons, women, and daily wage workers from surrounding areas were brought to the protest venue in vehicles. Among them was Ponnammal, a 75-year-old woman from the Mel Kinaru area, who worked as a daily wage labourer.

Eyewitness accounts stated that Ponnammal had been standing for a prolonged period under the scorching sun during the protest, following which she developed health complications and fainted while the demonstration was still underway. She was immediately taken by those present to a private hospital near Annur, where doctors declared her dead after examination.

The incident has led to allegations that elderly persons were forcibly brought to the protest and made to stand in extreme heat, directly contributing to the woman’s death. Opposition parties, including the BJP and the AIADMK, along with members of the public, have blamed the DMK for negligence and coercion.

Reacting to the incident, BJP leader Annamalai expressed shock and anger over the woman’s death. In a post on X, he alleged that the DMK had brought the elderly woman to the protest and made her stand in the heat, leading to her death. He further claimed that it was a common practice of DMK functionaries to threaten beneficiaries of the 100-day employment scheme by warning them that wages would be withheld if they did not attend party protests.

Annamalai accused the DMK of engaging in “anarchic politics” and sacrificing the lives of poor and vulnerable people for political gain. He asserted that Tamil Nadu would never forgive such actions carried out for electoral theatrics. He also demanded strict legal action against Palanisamy, the Annur North Union DMK secretary, and others responsible for allegedly subjecting elderly persons to inhuman treatment that resulted in the loss of life.

கோவை மாவட்டம் அன்னூர் பகுதியில், திமுக கட்சி ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்திற்காக, 75 வயது பொன்னம்மாள் என்ற வயது முதிர்ந்த மூதாட்டியை அழைத்து வந்து, கொளுத்தும் வெயிலில் நிற்க வைத்து, அவரது உயிரிழப்பிற்கு காரணமான சம்பவம் மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியும் கோபமும் அளிக்கிறது.

திமுக ஆர்ப்பாட்டத்துக்கு… pic.twitter.com/E6Z4jHYSYf

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 24, 2025

The protest itself was part of a statewide agitation by the DMK and its alliance partners against the Union government’s decision to amend the MGNREGS. The Centre has renamed the scheme, removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name, and increased the guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125, a move that has drawn strong opposition from opposition parties. The DMK and its allies have accused the BJP-led Union government of pursuing politics of hatred by removing Gandhi’s name from the scheme.

Despite the serious allegations and the fatal incident, DMK officials have so far not issued any official statement or clarification regarding the death of Ponnammal.

Source: One India Tamil & Hindu Tamil

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The post 75-Year-Old Woman Dies After Standing In Scorching Heat During DMK’s Protest Against MGNREGS Changes appeared first on The Commune.

Tension prevailed at Vedavakkam village in Chengalpattu district after a group of Christian missionaries allegedly attempted to convert Hindu labourers working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.

According to local sources, the missionaries had reportedly approached workers at a government worksite and began speaking to them about religion, allegedly urging them to embrace Christianity.

Upon receiving information, members of Hindu Munnani arrived at the site and confronted the group. The activists accused the missionaries of attempting religious conversion during working hours at a government-funded site.

The situation was diffused after the Hindu activists reportedly prevented the conversion attempt and asked the missionaries to leave the area.

செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டம், வேடவாக்கம் கிராமத்தில் நூறுநாள் வேலை செய்யும் இடத்திற்கு சென்று, இந்துக்களை மதம்மாற்ற முயற்சி செய்து கொண்டிருந்தனர் கிறிஸ்தவ மிஷினரிகள்..

சம்பவ இடத்திற்கு சென்று இந்துமுன்னணி பொறுப்பாளர், மதமாற்றத்தை முறியடித்து, கிறிஸ்தவ மிஷினரிகளை அங்கிருந்து… pic.twitter.com/eC81J3ivVT

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) November 10, 2025

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The post Hindu Munnani Thwarts Alleged Conversion Attempt At MGNREGA Site In Chengalpattu appeared first on The Commune.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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The post “They Thank Me In Private, Criticize In Public”: Nirmala Sitharaman Calls Out DMK’s Duplicity On Centre’s Release Of Funds appeared first on The Commune.

After exposing the theatrics of the ruling DMK government’s latest attempt to blame the BJP-led Central Government for reducing MGNREGA funds, on 29 March 2025, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai raised critical questions to Chief Minister MK Stalin, asked when the CM would fulfill his election promise of providing 100 to 150 days of work to the people and whether he would authorize a CBI investigation into the widespread corruption in the MGNREGA scheme in Tamil Nadu, citing irregularities in a panchayat in Erode district as an example.

On 30 March 2025, Annamalai took to his official X account to urge Chief Minister MK Stalin to respond to the following questions, asking, “Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @mkstalin should answer the following questions.

1. Tamil Nadu has received a historically high allocation of ₹39,339 Crores from our Central Government under the able leadership of our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl in the last four years under the MGNREGA Scheme. Thiru @mkstalin, since you’ve now been caught in the web of irregularities in the scheme’s execution, would you issue consent to the CBI to investigate the rampant corruption in the scheme in Tamil Nadu? We have given one sample village for the people to understand the magnitude of this corruption.
2. Are you aware that the states with three times or five times more rural populations have received lesser funds than Tamil Nadu under the MGNREGA scheme?
3. When do you plan to fulfill the poll promise of increasing the MGNREGA workdays from 100 to 150? Thiru @mkstalin, your party has looted funds that were meant for our hardworking people. DMK is not just corrupt; it is conniving, cruel, divisive and corrupt.

MGNREGA irregularity in one panchayat in Erode District in Tamil Nadu.”

The attached document titled “Irregularities in the execution of MGNREGA” states, “In the last four years since the DMK Government came to power, MGNREGA has been used as a scheme for political purposes. Wages are paid to people who attended DMK public meetings and also to people who never turned up for work. Hard-working people are today facing the brunt of these DMK irregularities. In the last four years, the central government has transferred a total of 3,60,505 Crores. Of this, 10 States in the country have received 2,57,432 Crores. The money paid to Tamil Nadu is equivalent to the combined sum of money paid to Maharashtra (12,065 Crores), Telangana (14,424 Crores), and Chhattisgarh (13,444 Crores). Tamil Nadu has received the highest fund allocation in this scheme in the country. The total funds transferred to Tamil Nadu in the last four years is 39,339 Crores. This is higher than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which have higher rural populations than Tamil Nadu. The amount of money paid to Tamil Nadu and Kerala is abnormally high, considering their lesser rural population and the fact that Tamil Nadu is supposedly an Industrialised state. Even based on the rural population per capita, the amount of money paid to Tamil Nadu is five times more than that of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The recent outstanding dues to be paid to each state show the actual picture of why there is such a difference. Of the overall dues pending for the State of Tamil Nadu, wages is 74% of the overall due. This is exactly the opposite of the National average”

MGNREGA Irregularities Reported in a Panchayat in Erode District, Tamil Nadu

The document details serious irregularities in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in a panchayat in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, involving Project Coordinator V. Ganesan and his accomplices. The allegations claim that they manipulated attendance records to create fake worker attendance, thereby embezzling lakhs of rupees.

Irregularities in Attendance Records

The following instances highlight the misuse of attendance registers:

1. 07.09.2023: V. Ganesan marked himself as on duty during working hours while actually attending a political party-affiliated district agricultural workers’ union meeting in Trichy.
2. 11.01.2024: He falsely recorded his attendance as being on duty while attending a Pongal gift distribution event in the Gopi assembly constituency alongside a political party’s union secretary.
3. 08.02.2024: He marked himself present during working hours while participating in a welfare scheme distribution ceremony in Erode.
4. 10.02.2024: He registered his presence as being on duty during a political party’s election manifesto preparation meeting in Avinashi.
5. 08.03.2024: He falsely recorded his attendance during working hours while attending a political event in Chennai with the union secretary.

Formal Complaints and Government Response

On 15 March 2024, a formal complaint was lodged with the Gopichettipalayam Block Development Officer, supported by relevant evidence. Subsequently, complaints were also filed with the Election Commission of India and the District Collector on 20 March 2024, highlighting the misuse of a government job for political campaigning. The complaints were registered under Complaint Nos.: 778571, 778548, and 778588.

Following the investigation, the District Collector ordered legal action against V. Ganesan. The Block Development Officer interrogated him, after which V. Ganesan resigned from his government position on 12 March 2024. However, no legal action was pursued against him, with government officials citing his resignation as the reason for the lack of further action.

Complicity and Embezzlement

The complainant alleges that higher government officials may have been complicit in allowing V. Ganesan to escape accountability. Despite clear evidence of irregularities and embezzlement of significant funds, no recovery was made, and no legal proceedings were initiated against him.

The complainant has urged for a thorough investigation into the matter, requesting accountability not only for V. Ganesan but also for senior government officials who allegedly failed to take appropriate action. The investigation should also address the recovery of the embezzled funds.

Embezzlement Case: Involvement of Project Coordinator V. Ganesan and his Accomplices in Falsifying Attendance Records to Misappropriate Lakhs of Rupees. The details of the irregularity are outlined below.

In Embezzlement Case 1, one of the workers named Priyadarshini, wife of Sivanandam from Pudukaraipur. According to the records, Priyadarshini had zero actual working days in both the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 periods, yet a total of 99 fake working days were registered in the 2023/2024 period. This fraudulent activity led to the embezzlement of ₹26,755. The manipulation of attendance registers was not an isolated incident, but part of a larger scheme designed to siphon off government funds through fake entries and ghost workers.

Embezzlement Case 2, involves a worker named Sakunthalamani, also known as Sakunthala, wife of Subramanium from Pudukaraipurudur. It is alleged that the worker never reported to work even a single day yet records falsely show 24 days of work in the 2020/2021 period, earning ₹4,800, and zero working days in 2021/2022. In 2022/2023, she was falsely credited with 99 days of work, earning ₹24,750, and again 99 days of work in 2023/2024, totaling ₹26,730. This fraudulent activity resulted in the embezzlement of ₹56,280. Interestingly, Sakunthala owns a broken rice retail shop, which raises questions about the legitimacy of her registration under the MGNREGA scheme. This case highlights how government funds were siphoned off using fake entries, exploiting the system’s vulnerabilities.

Embezzlement Case 3 involves Suguna, the wife of Varadarajan from Pudukaraipurudur, who was falsely recorded as present for 64 days in 2022/2023 and 98 days in 2023/2024, totaling 162 fake working days. Notably, Suguna did not report to work even once and resides in Nallampatti, far from the village where her job card was registered. This led to an embezzlement of ₹42,160. The fraudulent claim raises concerns about the misuse of the scheme to divert funds meant for genuine rural workers.

Embezzlement Case 4 involves Saraswati, the wife of Venkatachalam from Kulavikaradu, was listed as present for 53 days in 2022/2023 and 100 days in 2023/2024, accumulating a total of 153 fake working days. Saraswati never reported to work at all, and her connection to the Project Coordinator V. Ganesan as his mother—raises serious questions. This fraudulent activity resulted in the embezzlement of ₹40,265, highlighting the potential for conflicts of interest within the administrative framework overseeing MGNREGA.

In Embezzlement Case 5, Poongodi, wife of Velusamy from Pudukaraipurudur, has been falsely credited with a total of 240 working days across the years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, amounting to an embezzled sum of ₹61,170. Records show 41 days in 2022/2023, 99 days in 2023/2024, and 100 days in 2024/2025, despite Poongodi having reported to work for no more than 15 days in reality. Notably, she is the mother of a worksite in-charge and her job card was exploited to siphon off government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 6, Mageshwari, wife of Chinasamy from Kulavikaradu, was fraudulently recorded with 226 working days over the years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, leading to an embezzlement of ₹58,720. The records falsely claim 100 days in 2022/2023, 95 days in 2023/2024, and 31 days in 2024/2025. In reality, Mageshwari has not reported for any work under the MGNREGA scheme as she has been employed at a petrol bunk for the past five years. Her job card was misused to channel government funds for personal gain.

In Embezzlement Case 7, Sangeetha, wife of Thangamani from Kulavikaradu, was fraudulently credited with a total of 221 working days between 2022/2023 and 2024/2025, amounting to an embezzled sum of ₹57,770. The attendance records show 80 days in 2022/2023, 99 days in 2023/2024, and 42 days in 2024/2025. However, Sangeetha has never reported to work under the MGNREGA scheme as she is engaged in agriculture, and her husband works as a mechanic in the government transport department. Her job card was illicitly used to divert government funds.

In the case of Embezzlement 8, it was found that Nallammal, wife of Chinnasamy from Kulavikaradu, had her job card (No. TN-10-015-0 13-013/519-A) used to falsely record attendance for a total of 201 days across three financial years—98 days in 2022/2023, 99 days in 2023/2024, and 4 days in 2024/2025. Despite these fraudulent entries, she never reported to work even a single day. Nallammal, identified as a daily wage worker, had her job card exploited to embezzle ₹52,370 from government funds.

Similarly, in Embezzlement 9, Chellammaal, wife of Chellappaka Vundar from Pudukaraipurudur, was found to have her job card (No. TN-10-015-0 13-002/728-A) used to record 170 fake working days over three years—71 days in 2022/2023, 95 days in 2023/2024, and 4 days in 2024/2025. Chellammaal has never reported to work and is engaged in agriculture. The fraudulent entries resulted in an embezzlement of ₹44,540.

In Embezzlement 10, Kavitha, wife of Selvaraj from Pudukaraipurudur, had her job card (No. TN-10-015-0 13-002/712-A) used to falsely claim 164 days of work across three years—61 days in 2022/2023, 97 days in 2023/2024, and 6 days in 2024/2025. Interestingly, Kavitha has not worked even a single day under the MGNREGA scheme as she is employed in a private company and receives PF and ESI benefits through her employer. Her job card was misused to embezzle ₹43,060 in government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 11, Karuppayal, wife of Kolanthasamy with job card number TN-10-015-0 13-013/373-A, had her attendance falsely recorded for a total of 95 days across three financial years—25 days in 2022/2023, 49 days in 2023/2024, and 21 days in 2024/2025. Despite these fraudulent entries, she never reported to work even a single day. Notably, Karuppayal was on bed rest for two years due to a fractured leg and has only been attending work for the past two weeks in 2024/2025. Her job card was exploited to embezzle ₹25,165 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 12, Kunjayal, wife of Kittusamy with job card number TN-10-015-0 13-013/672-A, was falsely credited with 211 days of work over three years—98 days in 2022/2023, 99 days in 2023/2024, and 14 days in 2024/2025. However, she never reported to work even a single day. Kunjayal, identified as a daily wage worker, has only been attending work for a few days in 2024/2025. Her job card was misused to embezzle ₹55,340 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 13, Punitha, wife of an unidentified individual with job card number TN-10-015-0 13-002/865-A, had her attendance falsely recorded for a total of 111 days across three years—30 days in 2021/2022, 0 days in 2023/2024, and 81 days in 2024/2025. Punitha never reported to work, as she is employed in a private mill. Her job card was fraudulently used to embezzle ₹29,700 in government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 14, Vasanthi, wife of Vellinagiri from Kulavikaradu, was fraudulently credited with 113 days of work across two financial years—41 days in 2022/2023, 99 days in 2023/2024 and 6 days in 2024/2025. Despite these entries, she never reported to work even a single day. Her job card was misused to embezzle a total of ₹29,690 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 15, Devi, wife of Balasubramaniam from Kulavikaradu, had her attendance falsely recorded for 101 days over three years—66 days in 2020/2021, 32 days in 2022/2023, and 3 days in 2023/2024. However, she did not report to work on any of these days. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/633-A, was exploited to embezzle ₹24,138 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 16, Jothimani, wife of Chinnasamy from Ellamadai, was falsely credited with 199 days of work across three years—0 days in 2021/2022, 99 days in 2022/2023, and 100 days in 2023/2024. Despite these records, she never reported to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/258-A, was used to embezzle ₹51,665 from the government’s funds.

In Embezzlement Case 17, Sivakami, wife of Nagaraj from Ellamadai, was falsely credited with 141 days of work across three financial years—32 days in 2021/2022, 57 days in 2022/2023, and 52 days in 2023/2024. Despite these entries, she never reported to work even a single day. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/323-A, was exploited to embezzle a total of ₹35,630 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 18, Amsa, wife of Moorthy from Ellamadai, had her attendance fraudulently recorded for 126 days—33 days in 2021/2022, 81 days in 2022/2023, and 12 days in 2023/2024. However, she did not report to work during any of these days. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 A 13-013/332-A, was used to siphon off ₹31,210 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 19, Radha, wife of Thangaraj from Pudukaraipurudur, was falsely credited with 237 days of work over three years—93 days in 2021/2022, 54 days in 2022/2023, and 90 days in 2023/2024. She has not reported to work even once, despite being registered under the MGNREGA scheme. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/543-A, was misused to embezzle ₹62,064 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 20, Eshwari, wife of Ramasamy from Pudukaraipurudur, was falsely recorded as present for 21 days over three financial years—0 days in 2021/2022, 0 days in 2022/2023, and 21 days in 2023/2024. Despite these entries, she never reported to work even a single day. Interestingly, she is employed at Uzhavan Cafe, which raises questions about the legitimacy of her registration under the MGNREGA scheme. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/628-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹5,670 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 21, Murugayal, wife of Palanisamy from Pudukaraipurudur, was credited with 173 days of work—22 days in 2021/2022, 74 days in 2022/2023, and 77 days in 2023/2024—despite not having reported to work even once. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-002/794-A, was used to siphon off ₹44,570 in total government funds through fraudulent attendance records.

In Embezzlement Case 22, Nanjammal, wife of Kaaliyannakavundar from Kulavikaradu, was credited with 57 days of work—had her attendance falsely recorded for 27 days in 2021/2022, 30 days in 2022/2023, and 0 days in 2023/2024, despite never reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-014/816-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹13,980 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 23, Jayanthi, wife of Sivakumar from Kulavikaradu, was falsely recorded as present for 143 days over three financial years—29 days in 2021/2022, 18 days in 2022/2023, and 96 days in 2023/2024—despite never reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-014/821-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹37,380 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 24, Rajeshwari, wife of Angurajan from Pudukaraipurudur, had her attendance fraudulently marked for 263 days—89 days in 2021/2022, 79 days in 2022/2023, and 95 days in 2023/2024—without ever reporting to work. She is employed at a school, which raises concerns about the misuse of MGNREGA job cards. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-002/947-A, was used to embezzle a total of ₹66,660.

In Embezzlement Case 25, Nageshwari, wife of Periyasamy from Thottipalayam, was falsely credited with 80 days of work—0 days in 2022/2023, 48 days in 2023/2024, and 32 days in 2024/2025—despite not reporting to work at all and being the mother-in-law of a job site in-charge, her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/40-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹21,610 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 26, Maragatham, wife of Velliangiri from Kulavikaradu, was falsely marked present for 255 days across three financial years—94 days in 2021/2022, 71 days in 2022/2023, and 90 days in 2023/2024—despite never reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-014/1004-A, was manipulated to embezzle a total of ₹64,480 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 27, Punitha, wife of Sekar from Kulavikaradu, had her attendance fraudulently recorded for 236 days—48 days in 2022/2023, 98 days in 2023/2024, and 90 days in 2024/2025—without ever reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/101-A, was used to embezzle ₹62,745 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 28, Anjalidevi, wife of Chinnan from Kulavikaradu, was falsely credited with 141 days of work—62 days in 2021/2022, 56 days in 2022/2023, and 23 days in 2023/2024—despite not reporting to work at all. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/102-A, facilitated the embezzlement of ₹36,936.

In Embezzlement Case 29, Mageshwari, wife of Chinnasamy from Kulavikaradu, was falsely recorded as present for 226 days—100 days in 2022/2023, 95 days in 2023/2024, and 31 days in 2024/2025—without reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/545-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹58,720 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 30, Palaniammal, wife of Karuppusamy from Puthukaraipudur, was falsely marked present for 100 days in the year 2023/2024, despite never reporting to work. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-014/953-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹27,015 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 31, Sumathi, wife of Vivekanandan from Puthukaraipudur, was falsely credited with 118 days of work—12 days in 2021/2022, 16 days in 2022/2023, and 90 days in 2023/2024—despite not reporting to work for more than 15 days in total. She is employed as a power loom worker in a company and also operates a power loom at home. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-002/1026-A, was used to embezzle ₹31,180 from government resources.

In Embezzlement Case 32, Arukkani, wife of Kanniyappan from Puthukaraipudur, was fraudulently recorded as present for 152 days—11 days in 2022/2023, 90 days in 2023/2024, and 52 days in 2024/2025—without ever reporting to work. A daily wage worker, her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-013/565-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹41,270 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 33, Sangeetha, wife of Ramesh from Puthukaraipudur, was falsely marked present for 77 days— 0 days in 2021/2022, 42 days in 2022/2023, and 35 days in 2023/2024—despite not reporting to work even once. She has not resided in the village for the past three years. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-002/724-A, was manipulated to embezzle ₹19,650 from government funds.

In Embezzlement Case 34, Ranganayaki, wife of Boopathu from Kulavikaradu, was fraudulently recorded as present for 208 days—75 days in 2021/2022, 88 days in 2022/2023, and 45 days in 2023/2024—without ever reporting to work. She has been employed as a part-time worker under the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme for the past 3.5 years. Her job card, TN-10-015-0 13-014/931-A, was misused to embezzle ₹51,545 from government resources.

The preliminary investigation has uncovered a coordinated fraud under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), involving the fabrication of attendance records for non-existent workers. This massive misappropriation of government funds, totaling ₹14,11,103 (Fourteen Lakh Eleven Thousand Hundred and Three only), was carried out with the connivance of Mr. V. Ganesan, the MGNREGA project coordinator of Gopi Panchayat, along with the then work site in-charges.

Tamil Nadu CM Thiru @mkstalin should answer the following questions.

1)Tamil Nadu has received a historically high allocation of ₹39,339 Crores from our Central Government under the able leadership of our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl in the last four years under the MGNREGA… pic.twitter.com/BI9jeo6XCk

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 30, 2025

These cases highlight a recurring pattern of embezzlement through fake attendance entries, where job cards of individuals who were either inactive, working elsewhere, or unable to work due to physical constraints were manipulated to divert government funds unlawfully.

This revelation by TN BJP Chief Annamalai comes against the backdrop of the DMK’s announcement of statewide protests against the Union Government. The DMK is spearheading demonstrations across Tamil Nadu, criticizing the Union Government for withholding ₹4,304 crores owed to the state under the 100-day work guarantee scheme. Protests are being held at 1,170 locations across 850 DMK union branches, with active participation from individuals involved in the 100-day work scheme.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, through his official X account, stated, “Today, the DMK stood shoulder to shoulder with lakhs of rural #MGNREGS workers across 1,600 protest sites in Tamil Nadu, raising one thunderous question to the Union BJP Government: #WhereIsOurMoney? Denying funds meant for wages to those who toiled under the scorching sun is not just an administrative failure. It is cruelty.* The #SadistBJP Government is deliberately withholding the funds, punishing the rural poor of Tamil Nadu for rejecting them at the ballot. Release the pending Rs. 4,034 crore in #MGNREGA funds owed to us immediately. *Stop this political sadism* against the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Today, the DMK stood shoulder to shoulder with lakhs of rural #MGNREGS workers across 1,600 protest sites in Tamil Nadu, raising one thunderous question to the Union BJP Government: *#WhereIsOurMoney?*

*Denying funds meant for wages to those who toiled under the scorching sun is… pic.twitter.com/KuGcUPmtCZ

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 29, 2025

In response, Annamalai criticized the DMK for what he described as political “drama,” asserting that the people of Tamil Nadu were growing tired of the government’s antics. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu had received the highest allocation under MGNREGA, totaling ₹39,339 crores over the past four years. Despite this substantial funding, the government faced allegations of overlooking reports of fund misuse and administrative lapses. Later, Annamalai revealed widespread irregularities in the MGNREGA scheme across the state, highlighting the extent of the mismanagement.

Annamalai through his social media post, stated, “DMK Minister Thiru KKSSR Ramachandran is known for hitting women with petition when they seek solutions to their problems. Today, he sped at lightning speed after being questioned by our @BJP4TamilNadu  functionary Smt Meena avl about why he called for a Gram Sabha meeting and converted it into a protest against the Central Govt demanding funds for MGNREGA. The people of TN know well that under the MGNREGA, TN has received the highest allocation of ₹39,339 Crores in our country in the last four years, and the DMK Govt has turned a blind eye towards complaints of irregularities in the scheme’s execution and the misappropriation of funds by corrupt DMK functionaries. The people of TN have had enough of DMK’s drama.”

DMK Minister Thiru KKSSR Ramachandran is known for hitting women with petition when they seek solutions to their problems.

Today, he sped at lightning speed after being questioned by our @BJP4TamilNadu functionary Smt Meena avl about why he called for a Gram Sabha meeting and… pic.twitter.com/ZSnyAIKod1

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 29, 2025

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The post TN BJP Chief Annamalai Exposes Massive MGNREGA Fraud Under DMK Govt: Fake Job Cards, Ghost Workers & Money Swindled appeared first on The Commune.

Today, on the 3rd of December, in response to Shri T.R. Balu’s question about MGNREGS, the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani performed a fascinating act of joomla. Truly, the circus never ends!

The BJP seems to be on a relentless mission to… pic.twitter.com/aU3XzsD2tj

— Sasikanth Senthil (@s_kanth) December 3, 2024

In response to Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil’s allegation about a reduction in the budget, Minister of State Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani strongly rejected the claim, saying, “You said that the budget has been reduced, as I said earlier, the budget has not been reduced. Every year, 10,000 to 20,000 crores more are allocated to the budget.”

Addressing the issue of a lower budget, Chandra Sekhar further explained, “Every year, the budget is done in a consultative process. The secretary of rural development and all state secretaries sit together, and they estimate this budget based on the previous year’s work. If you look at it, some states will do differently. For example, in 2022, the state of Uttar Pradesh, with twenty crore population, has asked for 10000 crores and the state of Tamil Nadu, with a population of seven crores, has asked for ten thousand crores and in the next year, 2024, the state of Uttar Pradesh has asked similarly with 500 crores more. In contrast, Tamil Nadu asked for 2500 crores more, which is 25% more. So when these things happen, there will be anomalies, and they will be corrected, but at the same time, despite them asking 2500 crores, the GOI and Modiji have given those 2500 crores extra money. So it is not true that we are not giving.”

Minister Chandra Sekhar then addressed the job deletion issue, stating, “Job deletion of cards is the function of the State government; the central government has no role in Job deletion. So the way the job deletion happens is if there are fake applicants or duplicate applicants if the village becomes urbanised, or if the person moves from one gram panchayat to another gram panchayat, that is when job cards will be updated and deleted, and again, it is the responsibility of the state and not the centre’s responsibility.”

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The post Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil Claims MGNREGA Budget Cuts & Job Card Deletions; MoS Pemmasani Shows Him Mirror As Job Card Deletions Are State Responsibility appeared first on The Commune.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology; Ministry of Earth Sciences and Union Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Jitendra Singh said that the new portal under Bhuvan “Yuktdhara”, which has been released today, will facilitate planning of new MGNREGA assets using Remote Sensing and GIS based information. The Minister said that this platform will serve as a repository of assets (Geotags) created under various national rural development programmes i.e. MGNREGA, Integrated Watershed Management Programme, Per Drop More Crop and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc., along with field photographs.

Speaking at the launch of “Yuktdhara” Geospatial Planning Portal by Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, Dr. Singh said that the name given is very apt as word ‘Yukt’ is derived from Yojanam, the planning and ‘Dhara’ indicates the flow. He said that it is definitely a culmination of untiring joint efforts of ISRO and Ministry of Rural development made towards realising a G2G service for rural planning in support of decentralized decision making.

Dr. Singh acknowledged the potential and services of ISRO’s Geoportal Bhuvan and said highlighted that due to its rich information base, satellite images and analytical capabilities, Bhuvan, in fact, has become a de-facto geospatial platform for number of developmental planning activities in the country.

The Minister said that The high point is that, this portal integrates wide variety of thematic layers, multi-temporal high resolution earth observation data with analysis tools. Planners will analyse previous assets under various schemes and facilitates identification of new works using online tools. Plans prepared will be evaluated by appropriate authorities under State Departments. Thus, Yuktdhara based plans will be prepared by grassroot functionary and verified by appropriate authorities for relevance and resource allocation. This would ensure quality of plan and enable a long term monitoring of the assets created over the years.

The Minister pointed out that GeoMGNREGA on Bhuvan has received wide acclaims. The Before-During-After Geotagging of assets has successfully implemented the progress based disbursement of the funds during the process of creation of rural assets. Also, a Citizen-centric Mobile Application JANMANREGA has helped rural population for providing feedback using Bhuvan services. He was of the view that the synergy of Geographic Information and Earth Observation technology has not only brought the value of location to each rural asset, but also brought in unprecedented transparency in MGNREGA programme.

Dr. Singh said that the Customisation on Bhuvan as per process requirement of Ministry of Rural Development, continuous handholding of State functionaries and also enthusiasm demonstrated by State Department personnel in adopting the technology for building GeoMGNREGA database is noteworthy and is a first of its kind massive exercise in the whole world.

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The post Portal launched for planning of new MGNREGA assets using Remote Sensing and GIS appeared first on The Commune.