a mutli-crore scam in the implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (nrega) recently came to light in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected Kanker district. The state government has suspended K P Dewangan, chief executive officer (ceo) of Kanker Janpad panchayat on August 4 and transferred Kanker district collector G S Dhananjay, both allegedly involved in the scam. The matter is being investigated by P C Mishra, state commissioner of nrega.

Primary investigation revealed that agricultural instruments, fertilisers and pesticides worth Rs 6 crore were purchased and distributed among labourers under nrega. It was found that the pesticides were purchased at a price 10-times higher than the actual price. The purchases used up 60 per cent of the funds meant for wages of labourers.Pesticides and agro-instruments purchased in the guise of