Lanka Dinakar reiterates statement on misutilisation of MGNREGS funds

The misutilisation of funds was revealed by the officials during the review and I stand by my words, says Twenty Point Programme Chairperson Lanka Dinakar.
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Twenty-Point Programme Chairperson Lanka Dinakar has alleged that the previous YSRCP government had failed to utilise the MNREGS funds and misused the funds.

“We are reviewing the implementation of MGNREGS in Andhra Pradesh during the YSRCP’s tenure between 2019 and 2024. We will seek a comprehensive enquiry on the misuse of funds,” Mr. Dinakar told the media here on Saturday (February 22, 2025).

BJP Visakhapatnam district president Parasa Rama Raju was also present.

Mr. Dinakar said he had been reviewing the implementation of various Centrally-sponsored schemes district-wise between 2019 and 2024. “The review for 15 districts has been completed. We will complete the review for the remaining districts by April 30. We will submit a report to the government,’‘ he said.

Mr. Dinakar recently held reviews with the officials of Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore districts. During his review in Nellore, he mentioned that nearly ₹2,000 crore material component entitlement remained unutilised in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts between 2019 and 2024.

However, the statement drew criticism from a section of the media which claimed that Mr. Dinakar made such accusations without proper understanding.

Reiterating his remarks, Mr. Dinakar said he stood by his words, adding that he made the statement on the basis of the information provided by the officials. “I reviewed the implementation of the Centrally-sponsored schemes in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram on December 24 and December 28 respectively. The misutilisation of funds was revealed by the officials during the review. I once again cross-checked with the officials. I stand by my words,” he said and released the official figures to the media.

Mr. Dinakar said if funds of nearly ₹2,000 crore went unutilised, the total funds that were not utilised across the State would be much more. “The funds that were utilised were also spent in violation of rules. I have asked the officials to bring out the facts,” he said.