Rural jobs scheme: Khandre orders probe on fake GPS pics

Bengaluru: Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday ordered an inquiry following reports that fake geo-tagged photographs are being used to show attendance of workers under the VB – G RAM G Act. To prevent labourers from being falsely shown as present for work being done by machines, the VB – G RAM G scheme requires geo-tagged or GPS-based photographs from the work site. These photographs must be uploaded on the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS). “However, some people seem to have found ways to bypass the technology, prompting the government to initiate action,” Khandre said in a statement. ‘Govt making effort to trace Parvez’: Eshwar Khandre speaks to missing engineer’s fatherIn a written instruction to the department secretary, Khandre cited media reports from Koppal district on a video being recorded even when workers had not reached the worksite. Plus, while the video was being played, photographs were taken using another mobile phone to manipulate attendance.Khandre said an officer of the rank of Joint Director must investigate the matter and submit a report in four days.Media reports have alleged that such fake GPS photographs were being used to fraudulently claim Rs 20,000-30,000 every day, while attendance was being marked for workers who had not actually worked, Khandre said. 

Source: Deccan Herald