GUWAHATI: Several men disguised themselves in sarees, covered their heads, and posed as women to fraudulently claim benefits worth ₹3 lakh under a government employment scheme in Karnataka’s Yadgir district. As per reports, the incident came to light after it was discovered that these individuals had uploaded photographs of themselves to the National Mobile Monitoring Service (NMMS), an attendance system designed to log the participation of women workers in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) programme.
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The photographs, reportedly taken and uploaded in February, were used to falsely record female attendance at work sites. This misrepresentation not only defrauded the scheme but also deprived genuine women job seekers in the district of employment opportunities.
As news of the scam surfaced, residents in the area demanded accountability and action.
In response, the local panchayat attributed the misconduct to outsourced workers, distancing officials from any involvement. Chennabasava, the Panchayat Development Officer of Malhar village, stated that he had no knowledge of the fraud until it was brought to his attention. He said that an outsourced employee responsible had been suspended and claimed that MGNREGA work was now functioning normally in the village, with employment provided to 2,500 workers.
The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj said it had implemented measures in March to ensure 100 days of employment annually under MGNREGA. The initiative aimed to curb migration by offering work within villages.
Meanwhile, the Yadgir Zila Panchayat reported that demand centres had been established at all gram and taluk panchayats to assist those seeking work under the scheme.
