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| Posts advertised in Dec 2013, appointments yet to be made | | NREGA: Absence of ombudsmen breeds corruption | | Early Times Report
Jammu, April 10: In December 2013, after an inordinate delay, the state government announced that it was appointing ombudsmen at various places for hearing complaints regarding implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). One year on, however, the appointments are yet to be made.
On December 26, 2013 this newspaper exclusively reported how absence of NREGA Lok Pal (ombudsman) was affecting the implementation of this centrally sponsored scheme. The report prompted the Rural Development Department to issue an advertisement notice on December 30, 2013 regarding appointment of ombudsmen; applications were sought from the eligible candidates. The National Conference-led coalition government was planning to appoint one ombudsman for three to four districts while the Union Ministry of Rural Development had made it clear through its notification that only one ombudsman has to be appointed in each district.
However, even after 16 months, no ombudsman has been appointed in any district, hence seriously affecting the implementation of NREGA at grass roots level.
Background
While the announcement of NREGS was made after the enactment of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005, the idea of having ombudsmen to oversee the rollout of the scheme to prevent corruption was also mooted after few years of enactment of this law in 2009 to oversee the implementation of this flagship program at the district level.
NREGS was extended to J&K as well almost seven years ago. Later, as per the notification passed by the Ministry of Rural Development, all the state governments were supposed to set up the office of the ombudsman in all the districts within three months of the issuance of the order.
The ombudsman shall have the powers to receive complaints related to MGNREGA, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal. In certain cases, the ombudsman can issue direction for conducting spot investigation and to lodge FIRs against the erring parties. He can initiate proceedings suo motu in the event of any circumstance arising within the jurisdiction that may cause any grievance and engage experts for facilitating the disposal of the complaint, direct redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions.
The ombudsman will report his findings to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary, State Nodal Department for appropriate legal action against erring persons.
The ombudsman should be a person of eminent standing and impeccable integrity; up to 65 years of age with at least 2p years experience in public administration, law, academics, social work or management.
He will be independent of state and central government. His office shall be located at district headquarters. Technical and administrative support will be provided by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) or any other body specified by the state government
Complaints pile up
The state government, in particular the Department of Rural Development, is already under fire from various quarters for their failure in not curbing corruption. And the absence of ombudsmen has raised a question mark on the credibility of the present government which was awarded last year in New Delhi for its efforts towards reducing poverty.
As the complaints regarding the misuse of MGNREGA funds are piling up in J&K, there is an urgent need to appoint the ombudsmen in all the districts. Right now, if people have any complaint regarding MGNREGA, they approach the Block Development Officer, Assistant Commissioner Development, Deputy Commissioner or Director Rural Development. But people allege that no justice is delivered from these offices. |
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