Punjab govt to audit accounts of 450 panchayats

The Punjab government has ordered audit of accounts of 450 village panchayats following complaints in the implementation of MNREGA scheme there.
Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, in an official release, today said the department has received some complaints in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme and it was decided to conduct an audit of the accounts of panchayats of 450 villages which received more grants compared to other villages during the last financial year 2013-14.
He said the department has formed special teams which will start functioning from tomorrow and submit their report within a month.

Besides, Maluka said the department has cleared the file to award grants to 400 panchayats elected in 2008 polls.
He said these grants would be released soon.