A road and agribundh construction project taken up under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the Boko Development Block has come under serious scrutiny following allegations of large-scale irregularities and violation of scheme guidelines. The project, which was meant to provide employment to local villagers while improving rural connectivity has instead triggered protests and demands for official intervention.
The work, officially titled “Construction of Agribundh-cum-Road from Hahim PWD Road to Roumari Sahipara connecting road via Dhanhati,” was sanctioned for the 2025–26 financial year under the 70 No. Dakhin Pub Luki Gram Panchayat. With a total approved cost of Rs 9,57,519, the project earmarked Rs 7,75,972.40 for wages and Rs 1,81,546.60 for materials. Officials had projected the creation of nearly 3,031 mandays of employment, which was expected to support rural families while creating a permanent asset for farmers and residents in the Hahim–Roumari area.
However, villagers alleged that instead of employing manual labour as mandated under MGNREGA, the work was being carried out using excavator machines. Residents said this practice not only violates scheme norms but also deprives job card holders of daily wages meant for them. 
On Friday, tensions escalated when villagers gathered at the construction site and objected to the use of JCB machines. Following the protest, the construction team reportedly stopped work and left the site. Soon after, allegations of financial and procedural irregularities began surfacing from different sections of the village.
Chandan Kumar Boro, president of Dhanhati village alleged that Panchayat member Jitumoni Rabha and BJP booth committee president Karmeswar Rabha were involved in allowing such practices. Villagers claimed that the use of machines in MGNREGA works has been continuing for a long time, systematically denying employment to those registered under the scheme.
Residents further alleged that job cards of villagers many of whom travel daily to Boko or Guwahati for selling vegetables or other work are often retained by Panchayat officials or contractors. Once funds are credited to bank accounts, the money is allegedly withdrawn by contractors, with job card holders receiving only a small commission of around ₹500.
Responding to the allegations, Boko Block Development Officer Rajiv Das said that an inquiry would be conducted. He stated that MGNREGA guidelines clearly mandate that work must be done by registered job card holders and that the use of machines like JCBs is not permitted.
Meanwhile, villagers also alleged that Swapnan Rabha, president of the 70 No. South East Luki Gaon Panchayat, threatened over the phone that development works would be stopped if residents continued to obstruct the road construction.
Local residents have now appealed to the Block Development Officer and the Kamrup District Administration to take strict action. They said similar complaints have been raised earlier in several villages under the Boko Development Block and stressed that the response of the authorities in this case will be closely watched by the public.
