Gujarat Congress VP Hira Jotva, son arrested in alleged MGNREGA rip-off

“As soon as a doubt arose about an illicit practice in MGNREGA, Bharuch DDO started a primary investigation in 56 villages. They surveyed 11 villages and found that government money has been siphoned off. They complained to the police and registered a complaint regarding forged documents, siphoning government money illegally, and conspiracy,” SP Chawda advised the reporters.

He added that the 60:40 ratio of the fabric used as laid out in MGNREGA was not maintained.

“An SIT was formed, supervised by Dy SP… An investigation was done, and the team visited the site where the work was not done well. It was found that the material used does not match the bills attached; secondly, the 60:40 ratio was not maintained… The proprietors of Jalaram and Murlidhar agencies are on the run, whose details we collected and found that a lot more people, apart from these agencies, are involved,” he mentioned.

Further, he advised the reporters that Hira Jotva was operating the businesses beneath another person’s identify, and the cash was transferred to his relative’s account.

“After a detailed investigation, we arrested Hira Jotva, who was running these agencies under someone else’s name and the money was transferred to his relative’s account… We also arrested Rajesh Tailor, who used to collect money from the government based on forged documents. Digvijay Jotva, son of Hira Jotva, was also involved as the government funds were transferred from these accounts to his private account, and he has been arrested from Gir-Somnath…” SP Mayur Chawda mentioned.

He added, “Our proof point-of-view is forming false job playing cards, pushing cash into the account of people that did not work, utilizing the cash for private use… We have arrested three individuals, and people who can be discovered concerned can be arrested and subjected to motion.”