Close on the heels of implementing an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) scheme for beneficiaries under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the Orissa government is in the process of appointing Ombudsmans for the works taken up under the scheme.
A committee headed by the chief secretary will invite applications for it and the appointment will be made soon, sources said.
One Ombudsman will be appointed for every district who will look into any complain pertaining to the efficiency of the programme and irregularities. If warranted, the Ombudsman can call the district collector to his court.
Besides, it can punish any government employee for flouting the norms of the scheme, which is intended to provide 100 days of wage based employment. The violation of the procedure can land the concerned employee to pay a fine of about Rs 1000, sources added.
