State government lacks adequate ombudsmen

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsConstant threat from the gram panchayats, zilla panchayats, contractors and state government’s lack of seriousness to control irregularities in plagued Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme has made many shy away from the post of ombudsman. Under Section 27 of NREG Act,the state government needs to appoint an ombudsman to redress grievances and dispose of complaints relating to implementation of the Act. However, in the state out of the 30 districts only 18 districts have ombudsmen. Districts in the state that are yet to have ombudsmen are: Kolar Bidar, Bellary, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Davangere, Ramanagaram, Tumkur, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada, Koppal, Yadgir and Hassan. The state has not yet set up an independent social audit directorate. Ombudsmen from Kolar and Gulbarga have resigned recently. Meanwhile, existing ombudsmen are complaining of receiving threats from the local administration when irregularities are brought to light. Some of these posts have been lying vacant for more than three years. “I was attacked by the zilla panchayat president thrice. My car was stolen. I often get threat calls. Despite several complaints to the police and government, no action has been taken. I have sent my son to study in another district as I fear attack any time. We are helpless and hence the resignations are evident,” said a sitting ombudsman on conditions of anonymity. However, Principal Secretary to Rural development and Panchayat Raj Sanjiv Kumar agreed that this job was risky and lacked security. “An ombudsman’s job is hazardous. But that alone cannot be a reason for people to shy away from the post. Their remuneration is less and the government is taking efforts to increase it,” said Kumar. Role of an Ombudsman The responsibilities of an ombudsman include ensuring transparency in the implementation of the scheme. An ombudsman address complaints pertaining to deficiency in the implementation of MGNREGA scheme, demand for work, payment of wages and unemployment allowance and others. He can also issue direction for conducting spot investigation and lodge FIRs against the erring parties. The Act provides states that the selection of an ombudsman shall be made from among persons of eminent standing and impeccable integrity with at least 20 years of experience in public administration, law, academics and social work or management. The ombudsman is paid `10,000 monthly along with `500 for each sittingfirst published:September 03, 2012, 11:35 ISTlast updated:September 03, 2012, 11:35 IST
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Constant threat from the gram panchayats, zilla panchayats, contractors and state government’s lack of seriousness to control irregularities in plagued Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme has made many shy away from the post of ombudsman.

Under Section 27 of NREG Act,the state government needs to appoint an ombudsman to redress grievances and dispose of complaints relating to implementation of the Act.

However, in the state out of the 30 districts only 18 districts have ombudsmen.

Districts in the state that are yet to have ombudsmen are: Kolar Bidar, Bellary, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Davangere, Ramanagaram, Tumkur, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada, Koppal, Yadgir and Hassan.

The state has not yet set up an independent social audit directorate.

Ombudsmen from Kolar and Gulbarga have resigned recently.

Meanwhile, existing ombudsmen are complaining of receiving threats from the local administration when irregularities are brought to light.

Some of these posts have been lying vacant for more than three years.

“I was attacked by the zilla panchayat president thrice.

My car was stolen.

I often get threat calls.

Despite several complaints to the police and government, no action has been taken.

I have sent my son to study in another district as I fear attack any time.

We are helpless and hence the resignations are evident,” said a sitting ombudsman on conditions of anonymity.

However, Principal Secretary to Rural development and Panchayat Raj Sanjiv Kumar agreed that this job was risky and lacked security.

“An ombudsman’s job is hazardous.

But that alone cannot be a reason for people to shy away from the post.

Their remuneration is less and the government is taking efforts to increase it,” said Kumar.

Role of an Ombudsman The responsibilities of an ombudsman include ensuring transparency in the implementation of the scheme.

An ombudsman address complaints pertaining to deficiency in the implementation of MGNREGA scheme, demand for work, payment of wages and unemployment allowance and others.

He can also issue direction for conducting spot investigation and lodge FIRs against the erring parties.

The Act provides states that the selection of an ombudsman shall be made from among persons of eminent standing and impeccable integrity with at least 20 years of experience in public administration, law, academics and social work or management.

The ombudsman is paid `10,000 monthly along with `500 for each sitting