YADGIR: A fraudulent scheme involving men masquerading as women and submitting fake attendance photographs to illegitimately claim MGNREGA benefits totalling Rs 3 lakh was uncovered in Karnataka‘s Malhar village.
The deceptive image was taken near a nala (canal) that belongs to a person named Pujari, whose farm was the site of canal dredging work.
The photos were subsequently uploaded via the National Mobile Monitoring Service (NMMS), falsely asserting that the work was completed by a team that included female workers.
However, it was discovered that some individuals who appeared to be women in sarees were men in disguise. This incident is reportedly linked to Veeresh, a BFT (Bare Foot Technician) officer from the RDPR Department.
It has come to light that these men, dressed in sarees and covering their heads, posed as women to misrepresent the participation of female workers in the scheme. They even possessed job cards registered in women’s names.
Officials from the Zilla Panchayat, who are understandably embarrassed by this revelation, have stated that an investigation is underway. Should the allegations be substantiated, a formal complaint will be lodged against those responsible.