BJP spokesperson Arun Singh unleashed a blistering attack on the UPA government’s handling of MGNREGA, declaring it had morphed into ‘the synonym of corruption’ during their 10-year tenure. In an exclusive interview with a leading Hindi news channel, Singh dissected the scheme’s failures with surgical precision, backed by official audits and whistleblower accounts.
Launched with much fanfare in 2005, MGNREGA aimed to combat rural distress by assuring employment. Yet, under UPA, it allegedly became a playground for fraudsters. Singh pointed to scandals in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where muster rolls were manipulated, and payments were diverted to fictitious entities. ‘Billions vanished into thin air while villagers waited for their wages,’ he said, referencing a 2013 CAG audit that flagged over Rs 50,000 crore in potential misuse.
Drawing sharp comparisons, Singh praised the NDA’s overhaul: geo-tagging of assets, real-time wage payments via DBT, and stringent audits. ‘Corruption thrived in opacity; we’ve brought sunlight with technology,’ he noted. The remarks have sparked a fresh war of words, with Congress defending the scheme’s conceptual success while acknowledging implementation glitches.
Economists weigh in too, noting how UPA-era leakages undermined the scheme’s poverty alleviation goals. Recent government figures indicate over 90% fund utilization with minimal complaints now. Singh’s narrative positions BJP as the reformer, challenging opponents to a debate on welfare delivery.
With elections looming, this controversy highlights the polarized views on one of India’s largest social security nets. Arun Singh’s words may fuel BJP’s campaign, reminding voters of past excesses while showcasing current achievements.