Govt fails to establish MGNREGA complaint cell
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 08 2015 :
Government of Manipur has failed to establish a complaint cell under the direct charge of Commissioner/Principal Secretary (RD&PR) for handling "threats and intimidation to the complainants" under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MGNREGA) .
Owing to this fact, it has been reported that there have been virtually no complaints filed even when there is threat perceptions by many Right to Information (RTI) activists and others.
It may be recalled that an office memorandum forwarded to all Principal Secretaries, Secretaries (RD) and Secretaries (in-charge MGNREGA) of all States and Union Territories issued on May 14, 2013 by the Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi had stated that Para 10 of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for operationalizing provisions of Section 27 (2) of MGNREGA had been amended with an objective to provide security cover to enquiry officials/complainants/whistleblower in the implementation of the MGNREGA.
According to the amendment, SOP for operationalizing provisions of Section 27 (2) of MGNREGA include establishment of Complaint Cells in States under the direct charge of Secretary, Rural Development for looking into all the complaints related to MGNREGA.
The complaint cell may either be for complaints specifically related to MGNREGA or it may be the same as for complaints related to other programmes/Schemes of Ministry of Rural Development.
The cell was also meant for ensuring safety of the inquiry officer(s), complainant/whistle blowers in the States.
In the case of use of "force, intimidation and other similar action coming to light against complainants/whistle blowers" with regard to the implementation of MGNREGA or against officers of inquiry team to prevent the same from discharge of official functions, it will be duty of the State government to ensure that prompt initiation of criminal proceedings against acts of violence, intimidation and coercive action as well as registration of separate criminal cases regarding misappropriation of Government money and other issues of corruption.
Adequate security is provided to the complainant/whistle blower and their family members as well as members of the special audit/social audit team by the concerned District Collector and Superintendent of Police.
The memorandum instructed that all State Governments to issue appropriate orders and monitor compliance in this regard.
An in another recent move initiated to eliminate bogus muster rolls and plug leakages in implementation of MGNREGA, the Centre has introduced Mobile Monitoring System (MMS) for effective execution of works under the rural job scheme.
According to reports, the pilot project of MMS undertaken in 35,000 Gram Panchayats will eliminate the bogus musters and will allow real-time updation of database for complete transparency.
The total amount allocated for 35,000 mobile/tablets is Rs 35 crore.
The MMS will empower Gram Panchayats and implementation agencies with live data from the worksites and allow an online and real-time updating of data base for complete transparency.
Government has decided to equip all the GPs and technical/supervisory personnel involved in MGNREGS in the Country with the new system in phases.
All Gram/Block Panchayats implementing MGNREGA are eligible under the scheme to get a Mobile/Tablet PC along with GSM/GPRS connectivity.
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