AP High Court fumes at govt over diversion of MGNREGA funds, asks to file counter

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday has fumed at the state government saying how could it has the power to divert funds released by the centre for employment scheme to other purposes. Hearing a petition filed against the Andhra Pradesh government over diversion of funds assigned to the Employment Guarantee Scheme to other purposes, the court warned of stringent actions against the authorities who had diverted the funds.

The two-member bench comprising Justice Rakesh Reddy and Justice Suresh Reddy expressed anger over the diversion of funds without paying dues and asked the state and central governments to file counter affidavit. Former Sarpanch V. Bhavani, Guntur District Angalakuduru Gram Panchayat, has approached the High Court claiming that the state has diverted funds sanctioned by the centre towards employment for the year 2018-19.

Senior advocate P Veera Reddy who argued on behalf of the petitioners has said that a memo has been issued for payment of bills for the works carried out recently. The advocate further asked the court to direct the government to pay dues of 2018-19. Considering these arguments, the bench directed the central and state governments to submit the full details and adjourned the next hearing to June 16.