Service of Ombudspersons appointed under MGNREGA for redressal of the PMAY-G related activities
D.0. No .File No.J-11060/15/2022-RH -Pol.(e 379226)
Subject: Availing service of Ombudspersons appointed under MGNREGA for redressal of the PMAY-G related activities – reg.
Dear Madam/Sir,
Kindly refer 10 the Section 30, Schedule I of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MONREOA).2005 which stipulates that the all the State/UTs are mandated to appoint Ombudspersons for each district for receiving grievances, enquiring and passing awards asper the revised guidelines dated 28″‘ August. 2017 (copy enclosed) and further amendment dn1ed 23rd December, 2021 (copy enclosed).
2. In this regard. it has been decided that the services of the Ombudsperson appointed under MONREOA and the State Level Appella1e Authority shall also be availed for grievance redressal under PMAY-G, in addition to existing mechanism for redressing the grievances. The To Rs for the for Ombudsperson is annexed for ready reference. Ombudspersons will be oriented on the PMAY-0 Guidelines as well as the TOR attached hereto. Publicity should also be made among the beneficiaries through multiple media about Ombudspersons as an alternate grievance redressal forum. This outreach can also be used to sensitize Mahatma Gandhi NREOS beneficiaries about redressal of their grievances through that office.
3. I would therefore, request you to kindly issue necessary instructions to the concerned officials in the State/UTs and make necessary arrangements to ensure that the mechanism is implemented efficiently at the earliest.
With warm regards,
Encl.: As above
Yours sincerely.
(Gaya Prasad)
The Addl. Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary,
Department of Rural Development, dealing with PMAY-G
All States/UTs,
Copy to:
- i. PSO to Secretary, MoRD
- ii. PPS to AS(RO)IPPS to JS(RE)
- iii. PS to DIRs/DS, RH Division, MoRD
Annexure
Terms of Reference (TOR) for Ombudsperson under PMAY-G
The institution of Ombudsperson seeks to provide people a scope to get redressal for there grievances through designated persons who are autonomous from the administrative system within which they faced such grievances.
2. The Office of the Ombudsperson has been created in every district under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The Ombudsperson appointed under the MGNREGS will be assigned the additional responsibilities of acting as the Ombudsperson for PMAY-G with the same geographical jurisdiction as her/his jurisdiction under MGNREGS. Similarly, the State level Appellate Authority appointed under the MONREGS shall be assigned the additional responsibility action as the state level Appellate Authority for PMAY G.
3. An Ombudsperson shall receive complaints from PMAY-G beneficiaries and others on any mailer specified in the list provided under the section “Grounds on which Complaint can be filed”. The complaints should be considered and orders be passed within 30 days from the receipt of the complaint. For considering con1plai11ts and facilitate their disposal in accordance with the PMAY-G guidelines, the ombudsperson may require the relevant documents/certified copies on the subject matter of the complaint from the officials. They may suggest redressal disciplinary and corrective action. Ombudspersons will send the Quarterly regular reports to the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary (incharge) of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department (administrative department of PMAY-0) in the State for appropriate action.
4. Ombudspersons and the members of the appellate authority will be provided orientation and training related to PMAY-G guidelines for handling grievances.
5. If there are any costs of honorarium and travel for Ombudsperson and members of the Appellate Authority, over and above what’s available under MGNREGS. the same will be provided from the Administrative Costs under PMAY-0. The norms applicable will he the same as what is applicable under MGNREGS.
6. The name and contact details of the Ombudsperson for the district will be displayed prominently at District. Block and Panchayat Offices. Awaas Soft will be updated to incorporate provision for Ombudsperson. Ombudsperson App is already available under MGNREGS. The same shall be updated to incorporate PMAY-G.
7. Grounds on which Complaint can be filed : A complaint pertaining to any one or more of the following subjects alleging deficiency in the implementation or PMAY-G may be filed with the Ombudsperson:
i. Discrepancy in records regarding identity or beneficiaries, location of house, completion Status.
ii. Sanction or houses/ payment to ineligible beneficiary
iii. Denial of benefi1s to eligible beneficiary
iv. Corrupt Practices:
- a. demanding money by any person to get house sanctioned or to get the installment (s) amount released, or to get the house photographed or geo-tagged or for other activities
- b. authorities are delaying decision at any stage activity.
- c. beneficiary forced to procure material from a particular vendor.