Interacting with this reporter, he said the balance amount of Rs 27.18 lakh from 667 fake beneficiaries would be recovered within a week. Agricultural and bank officials have been advised to ensure that total collection is undertaken in many cases. Many members of one family have received these funds illegally while the scheme allows only one family member of a bona fide farmer to receive Rs 2,000 instalment once in four months.Meanwhile, in Vellore district CB-CID arrested Santosh (30) of Kallakurichi district, who was operating a computer centre at Tiruvalam in Vellore, in connection with the scam. He was later remanded in custody at the Vellore central prison.

Sources revealed that Agriculture Department officials have handed over a list of 20 names of temporary staff to be investigated by the police. “Of the 3,242 fake persons, who received a total of Rs 1.23 crore in Vellore, officials have recovered Rs 72 lakh as on date. Work is underway to recover the balance due,” they added.

The State government should form a panel headed by a Judge to probe the PMKSNY scam which would pave way for a fair investigation, said, A Lazar, All India Agricultural Workers Union State President in Pudukkottai on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Lazar said, several irregularities have been executed in the PMKSNY through middlemen and the action initiated by the government is not satisfactory. “We feel that the actions were just an eyewash and there are several big hands behind the scam. It is apt to conduct a probe by a panel headed by a Judge and severe action should be initiated against the guilty after the inquiry commission submits report,” Lazar said.

On MGNREGS works extension to the town panchayat, he said that the government should ensure the increase in the number of working days to 200 from the existing 100 days and the wages should be increased to Rs 600. He said that the union has decided to stage a protest in front of all the town panchayats across the State on October 6.