Step taken to ensure transparency in implementation of CSS
Quarterly reports about corrective actions to be submitted
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 22: In order to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered that Ombudsmen appointed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will also act as grievance redressal forums for Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna-Gramin (PMAY-G).
The order has been issued by Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj of J&K on the directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development, which vide communication No.J-11060/15/2022-RH-Pol dated September 15, 2022 asked for availing the services of Ombudsmen appointed under MGNREGA for redressal of PMAY-G related complaints and grievances.
“The services of Ombudsmen appointed as per the provisions of Section 30, Schedule 1 of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 should be utilized for redressal of complaints and grievances relating to PMAY-G also and necessary orders in this regard should be issued”, read the communication of the Union Ministry addressed to J&K Government.
An order issued by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj read: “Ombudsmen under MGNREGA shall act as grievance redressal forums for PMAY-G with the same geographical jurisdiction as assigned under MGREGA. The institution of Ombudsmen seeks to provide people a scope to get redressal for their grievances through designated persons, who are autonomous from the administrative system within which they faced such grievances”.
The Ombudsmen will receive complaints from PMAY-G beneficiaries and others on any matter specified under the Clause-7 (grounds on which complaint can be filed) and complaints will be considered and orders passed within 30 days from the receipt of the complaint, read the directions issued by the Government.
The Ombudsmen have been empowered to seek relevant documents/certified copies on the subject matter of the complaint from the officials for considering such complaints and facilitate their disposal in accordance with PMAY-G guidelines. The Ombudsmen will suggest redressal, disciplinary and corrective actions and send quarterly regular reports to the Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj for appropriate action.
The complaints pertaining to discrepancy in records regarding identity of beneficiaries, location of house, completion status; sanction of houses/payment to ineligible beneficiary; denial of benefits to eligible beneficiary; corrupt practices which include demanding money by any person to get house sanctioned or to get installments released or to get the house photographed or geo-tagged or for other activities; delay on the part of the authorities concerned at any stage of the activity and forcing of beneficiary to procure material from a particular vendor.
As per the directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development, the Ombudsmen will be provided orientation and training related to PMAY-G guidelines for handling grievances and contact details of the Ombudsman for the district will be displayed prominently at district, block and panchayat offices for the convenience of people.
The PMAY-G aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all houseless households and households living in kutcha and dilapidated house in rural areas. The cost of house assistance is shared between Central and J&K Government in the ratio of 90:10.
As the fairness and transparency in identification and selection of beneficiaries is the cornerstone for releasing the goal of Housing for All, the assistance under PMAY-G is targeted at those who are genuinely deprived and the selection is made keeping in view housing deprivation paramaters which are then verified at Gram Sabhas, officials of the Rural Development Department said.
“No doubt efforts are being made by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to look into the complaints relating to PMAY-G but designating MGNREGA Ombudsmen as grievance redressal forums for PMAY-G would go a long way in ensuring transparency in the implementation”, they further said, adding “independent mechanism of redressing complaints is always considered as best method that is why Union Ministry of Rural Development has taken this initiative”.
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