Hyderabad is home to important figures known as the Ombudspersons under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). These individuals ensure that promises made to the rural poor are kept, handling complaints and grievances to make sure the needs of the community are heard and addressed.
Currently, these Ombudspersons face numerous challenges. They often experience delays in salary payments and lack clear information about their job renewals. This has been an issue since their appointments began a few years ago in Telangana.
To qualify for this role, Ombudspersons must be legal professionals, chosen by the state government with input from a selection committee and the Chief Secretary’s approval. They are tasked with upholding specific guidelines from MGNREGA.
Part of their preparation includes a mandatory five-day training at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) in Hyderabad. This training covers policy development, advocacy, and use of technology, turning their roles into meaningful safeguards rather than mere bureaucratic duties.
Appointed under Section 27 of MGNREGA, these officials act as independent authorities to resolve grievances, ensuring fairness in the scheme’s execution. In rural areas, where development plans often face challenges, the Ombudspersons play a crucial role as watchdogs.
Their duties involve investigating worker complaints, checking work sites, reviewing wage payment delays, and ensuring the rights under the Act are respected. Unfortunately, issues like the unresolved “File reference no. PRRD_RD1/2094/A1/2024” related to their payments have persisted for a year, along with salary delays.
According to MGNREGA, Ombudspersons can serve a maximum of two years, extendable twice, with an age cap of 68. A selection committee, including senior state officials and representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, rigorously screens these appointments.
They are supposed to receive Rs 2,250 per meeting, up to Rs 45,000 per month, considered as pro bono service. However, they were hired on a consolidated pay basis. Despite their tenure ending, there has been no government update on possible extensions.
An official mentioned to The Hans India that there is uncertainty about when their pending payments will be settled or if they will continue, as the government has not clarified their extension status.
Their role extends beyond paperwork, involving direct interaction with wage earners, checking muster rolls, and addressing misuse of public funds. They tackle issues like gender bias, late payments, and contractor breaches, maintaining accountability in India’s largest employment scheme.
As digital initiatives and inclusive development grow, these Ombudspersons blend grassroots vigilance with institutional power to ensure rural voices are both heard and acted upon. Yet, the state government’s indecision on their extension and payment issues has put these key figures in a tough spot.
The State Panchayat Raj Department suggests that funds for these officials were released by the Centre and allocated to the state. The question remains: Why are their salaries delayed, and where are the allocated funds?
