Rural development minister Abdul Haq Khan on Tuesday offered to resign if it is proven that transfers are made in his department in lieu of money.
During the question hour, MLA from Banihal Viqar Rasool levelled some serious allegations against the minister.
“The government has released payment under the MGNREGA scheme recently, but in my district, only a few lakhs were released,” he said, alleging that block development officers are being “frequently transferred in lieu of the monetary considerations.”
The minister reacted sharply and offered to quit if the allegations are proven right.
“I will resign if you prove these allegations,” Khan said, triggering a verbal dual between him and Viqar.
“Don’t shout at me. I know Rs 5 to 6 lakh is the rate for transfer of a BDO in your department,” Viqar retorted.
Amid heated exchange of arguments, Viqar staged a walkout from the House.
Talking to reporters outside the assembly, Viqar said that he was unsatisfied with the minister’s answer.
“I am serious about my words. There are Rs 9 crore liabilities pending in my district for the past two years despite the fact that MGNREGA makes it clear that the workers be given their payments within 15 days,” he said.
Viqar said that he raised the issue to seek an independent probe into the alleged malpractices and corruption in the rural development schemes, “but the government, instead of taking a serious note of the issue, tried to put a veil on it.”
“The government has destroyed this scheme and unless there is accountability, nothing will improve,” he said, reiterating his allegations against the minister.
“Order a probe against advertisement scam and if the minister is not found involved, I will resign,” Viqar said.