Alleging that Gujarat Panchayat and Agriculture Minister of State Bachubhai Maganbhai Khabad used funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on a plot of land owned by him, the Congress on Monday demanded his dismissal and a court-monitored CBI inquiry.

Addressing a press conference, Rajya Sabha member and party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil alleged “a well-planned conspiracy to loot the MGNREGA funds meant for the rural poor labourers”.

Different work orders were issued and money was claimed multiple times against the same plot for different types of work, Mr. Gohil claimed.

Showing what he claimed to be documentary evidence, the Congress leader said the same plot was shown to be used for the construction of the flood drain, storm wall, dam, well and even for levelling the land and creating a forest through tree plantation.

“The funds were not only siphoned off in the name of work, but the material for the work was also supplied by Raj Constructions, a firm owned by the Minister’s son Balwant Khabad,” Mr. Gohil said.

The Congress leader said MGNREGA funds were allocated mainly to ensure the employment of the rural jobless, while only a small amount was kept for the supply of material, that was to be bought from the supplier offering the lowest price.

“The contract to supply the material was awarded to the Minister’s son though he was not the lowest bidder,” Mr. Gohil said.

The Congress leader also expressed shock over the Gambhira bridge collapse which led to the death of at least 12 people.

He alleged that it was the result of corruption prevailing in Gujarat under the BJP regime.

“Local people, including zila parishad members, had complained in writing against the dilapidated condition of the bridge as it was shaking but the authorities did not take any note,” Mr. Gohil said.

The Congress leader claimed that recently the joints and bearings of the bridge were repaired at a huge cost. “There should be an inquiry to find out what went wrong despite a huge amount of money spent on its repair,” he said.