The social audit of the ten years of implementation of Swaran Jayanti Rozgar Yojana in Himachal has revealed grave irregularities that defeat its basic purpose.

The aim of the scheme was to benefit the urban poor. In a random survey of the various Urban Local Bodies of Himachal done by a team of Ministry of Urban Development, it was found that instead of employing persons Below Poverty Line (BPL), or unemployed persons living in urban areas, a large chunk of the work was allocated to the contractors.

In a random check of the cash books of Municipal Council Una, Dharamshala, and Chamba and Nagar Panchayat Gagret, it was found out that approximately Rs 29, 57,074 were spent on works commissioned to contractors, which is illegal.

At Solan, not even a single penny was incurred on works executed departmentally by engaging labour. The entire expenditure was incurred through contractors, says the report.

The Social Audit report, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, has been submitted to the State Urban Development Department also.