(a) whether the Government has decided to appoint an ombudsman in each district
of the country to redress the grievances regarding irregularities during the
implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the mandate likely to be entrusted to
the ombudsman; and
(c) the time by which the decision is likely to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) to (c): The Ministry has issued an order and detailed instructions on 7.9.2009
directing all the State Governments/UTs to set up the office of the Ombudsman for
redressal of grievances in a time bound manner.A copy of the Order and detailed
instructions is available on the website (www.nrega.nic.in).
Ombudsman will be an agency independent of the Central or State Government.
The Ombudsman will receive complaints from NREGA workers and others on any
matters, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal in accordance with
law. The Ombudsman will also issue directions for conducting spot investigation,
lodge FIRs against the erring parties, initiate proceedings suo motu when required
and look into direct redressal,disciplinary and punitive actions In cases of
corruption, he will forward the matter to take up criminal prosecution.