MGNREGA guidelines’ vital point remains unimplemented
*Latest panel too fails to complete exercise since July
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 27: Incredible it may sound but it is a fact that even after framing of numerous committees of bureaucrats during the past over one decade, Ombudsmen under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) could not be appointed in Jammu and Kashmir although the same have an important role to play in ensuring utmost transparency in the implementation of this flagship scheme.
What to talk of committees framed by the successive Governments of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir even the latest panel constituted by Union Territory administration has failed to complete the exercise despite lapse of several months as a result of which vital point of guidelines has remained unimplemented till date.
This Centrally Sponsored Scheme was initially launched in six districts of Jammu and Kashmir in 2006 and thereafter extended to all other districts. As per the provisions of the scheme, the J&K Government was required to appoint Ombudsman in each district right from the day one in order to address the complaints relating to implementation of the scheme.
As per the guidelines, the Ombudsman has the powers for issuing directions for spot investigation, lodging of FIRs against the erring parties, initiating suo-moto proceedings and taking disciplinary and punitive actions.
The successive Governments of J&K framed committees of bureaucrats from time to time especially whenever the Union Ministry of Rural Development dashed communications expressing serious concern over slackness in implementing the important point of the MGNREGA guidelines. However, such committees never completed the assigned task mainly due to lack of interest from the Governments, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
Following bifurcation of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories it was expected that this aspect would receive due attention and Ombudsman for each district will be appointed in shortest possible time. However, this time also slackness has created roadblock and this is evident from the failure of the latest panel to complete the assigned task during the past several months, they further said.
Vide Government Order No.699-JK(GAD) dated July 14, 2020, an Apex Level Selection Committee was re-constituted in supersession of Government Order No.857-GAD dated August 5, 2016 for selection of Ombudsman under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The committee headed by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department and comprised representative of Union Ministry of Rural Development, Secretary to Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and an eminent civil society person nominated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development was asked to recommend the selection of Ombudsman in each district and suggest mechanism for termination of Ombudsman from his/her post in case of unsatisfactory performance.
Though over five months have lapsed yet the committee has not made any recommendation to the Government, sources informed, adding “five months was sufficient period to make the selection especially when it was decided that there will be one Ombudsman for two districts”.
When contacted, an officer privy to the exercise conducted by the committee said, on the condition of anonymity, that interviews have been conducted and final selection on the basis of merits will be recommended to the Government by the chairman of the panel—Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department.
“Though there is an official mechanism in the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj of the UT of J&K for disposal of complaints/grievances relating to the implementation of MGNRGA yet the importance of Ombudsman cannot be undermined”, sources said.
They further said, “unlike the officer(s) who are dealing with the complaints/grievances in the department, the Ombudsman will be an independent authority and there would be no chance of coming under pressure of the department while disposing of the grievances and complaints”.
The appointment of Ombudsman carries importance especially in the light of the fact that in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir complaints regarding irregularities in implementation of scheme and delay in release of payments to the workers come to the fore frequently.
“The Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Secretary should intervene as early as possible so that over one decade long slackness in appointment of Ombudsman comes to an end and a mechanism is put in place strictly as per the guidelines of the Government of India”, sources stressed.
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