BANGALI PRASAD Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This matter has been taken up for online hearing through video conference because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

(2.) The petitioner has asserted that he was the elected member of Panchayat Samiti of Kathagharwa block in the District of Gopalganj between the period 2006 to 2011. In that capacity, he functioned as a Block Development Coordinator to execute and complete plan by providing employment to unskilled rural workers under the Schemes framed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA for short). It is his assertion that various schemes under the Act were completed in the years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 for developments in rural areas, but despite completion of the work, payments were not made in various districts in the State of Bihar. The petitioner has further asserted that four schemes were allotted to the petitioner in his concerned block under MGNREGA being Plan No. 52/2010-11, 66/2010-11, 69/2010-11 and 73/2010-11. For work No 52/2010- 11, out of estimated cost of Rs.4,26,700.00, Rs.1,69,250.00 remained unpaid despite completion of work as per the measurement book. The total dues, according to the petitioner, is, however, Rs.3,02,006.00 against the said work No. 54/2010-11.

(3.) In response to a query made by this Court regarding the variance of dues, based on the work as per the measurement book on the one hand and the total dues as claimed by the petitioner, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner has submitted that actual dues against work No. 54/2010-11 is Rs.3,02,006.00 but as per measurement book a sum of Rs.1,69,250.00 is payable. Similar situation is there in respect of other works as mentioned in paragraph-8 of the application.