Irregularities occurred in implementing employment guarantee scheme in Vizianagaram

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Pawan Kalyan informed the Legislative Council that appropriate action has been initiated against officials responsible for irregularities in works executed under the Employment Guarantee Scheme in Vizianagaram Mandal of Vizianagaram district.

Responding to a question raised by MLC Penumatsa Varaha Venkata Suryanarayana Raju, the Deputy Chief Minister, on Friday (February 27), placed detailed information before the House regarding the implementation of works and the alleged financial misappropriation.

According to the official reply, a total of 2,793 works were carried out in Vizianagaram Mandal during the current financial year, with an expenditure of ₹12.65 crore as of date. The scheme generated employment for 9,491 wage seekers, creating 3.88 lakh person-days of work. An amount of ₹8.96 crore has been disbursed towards wages during the financial year 2025–26 so far.

Addressing concerns about alleged large-scale irregularities, the Minister stated that the A.P. Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency (APSSAAT) conducted a Special Social Audit for works executed between April 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Based on the audit findings, the Project Director of the District Water Management Agency (DWMA), Vizianagaram, conducted a public hearing.

The inquiry found misappropriation of ₹41.71 lakh from the total works worth ₹9.54 crore verified during the audit period.

In response to a specific query, the Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that the irregularities occurred during the tenure of the then mandal parishad development officer (MPDO). He said that the District Collector, Vizianagaram, has initiated appropriate action against the erring officials, including the former MPDO.