The scale of incomplete projects raises concerns about the allocation of funds and the efficiency of project execution at the ground level.
Team Clarion
PATNA – In the bustling Bihar capital city of Patna, daily labor market witnesses a swarm of workers seeking employment, but a significant number of them return disappointed. While the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) serves as a crucial source of employment, a disconcerting revelation has surfaced – thousands of MGNREGA works in the state have incurred zero costs over the years.
Despite the potential for job opportunities, more than 84,000 projects across Bihar remain incomplete, some for an extended period of time. This alarming trend raises questions about the effective implementation of MGNREGA, which is designed to provide livelihoods for those in need.
Incomplete and delayed projects are not a recent issue; many have lingered on for several years. Shockingly, there are over seven lakh such incomplete schemes, with questionable practices persisting for the last three years. Gaya district stands out with 61,145 incomplete projects in the current financial year, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.
The state capital faces its share of challenges, with 21,872 projects remaining incomplete in the fiscal year 2023-24. Of these, around 2,500 projects incurred zero initial costs. Additionally, 3,762 projects have been incomplete for over three years, 5,105 for more than two years, and 9,597 for an unspecified duration.
Other districts, including Gaya, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, and Vaishali, also grapple with numerous unfinished works. The scale of incomplete projects raises concerns about the allocation of funds and the efficiency of project execution at the ground level.
One critical aspect contributing to the problem is the lack of preparation at the panchayat level. The discrepancy between the schemes planned and their actual execution pace results in delays, leaving numerous projects unfinished.
Officials from the concerned department acknowledge the issue, attributing a significant portion of incomplete works to the Indira Awas project. They assure that measures are being taken to close these old projects by 2023-24 and that instructions have been given to remove them from official records.
The District Development Commissioner (DDC) emphasises a plan to complete the outdated schemes by launching a campaign from January 10, intending to rectify the situation and ensure that the benefits of MGNREGA reach those who need them the most.
