Mr Singh, however, today garnered further evidence to pin down Mr Kumar. The maximum number of complaints pending for inquiry with regard to the implementation of the programmes pertain to Uttar Pradesh (18), Bihar (15) and Madhya Pradesh (11). Two of the complaints in Bihar have been pending for over a year. On the completion of two years of NREGA, Mr Singh had accorded a "big zero" to the implementation of the schemes in his home state and said even job cards had not been prepared.

To ensure transparency and accountability under NREGA programmes, Mr Singh has asked all state governments to establish effective three layer "grievance redressal mechanism" at the state, district and block levels. The states have been asked to ensure that all complaints received were duly acknowledged and after inquiry, appropriate action taken. The applicant has to be informed of the action.

At the Central level, a system of grievance redressal system has been established. So far, 195 complaint petitions have been received through different sources with respect to the implementation of NREGA. In all, 108 complaints have been disposed of, but 67 complaints are pending, with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh topping the list.

During the course of review of implementation of NREGA, the department has emphasised on total transparency. It wants the grievances of common people to be given priority. In order to ensure accountability, grievance redressal rules have been a part of the NREGA guidelines.

To check misuse of funds, the ministry has asked all state governments to ensure that the payment under NREGA is made through banks/post office accounts to the beneficiaries. So far, against 3.08 crore wage seekers, 1.20 crore accounts have been opened, with Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Karnataka leading the list. The department is mulling linking the fund flow under NREGA with vigilance and monitoring measures.