The SOPs have been implemented with immediate effect and has been shared with the concerned department of all the state governments, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here today.
"This is the second major recent step in the direction of enhancing transparency and accountability of the UPA government's flagship program in last few weeks," he said.
Sharing the main features of the SOPs, Ramesh said that for the first time a clear procedure has been laid out for stoppage of funds which existed only on the papers till now.
"It (formation of SOPs) also follows the announcement that the audit and certification of MGNREGA accounts at the gram panchayats level will be mandatory," he said.
As per the SOP, the complaints received in the Ministry will be categorised into four major types and the states will have to take appropriate action accordingly.
Broadly, the complaints will be categorised into petitions, grievances and complaints regarding procedural violation of guidelines, complaints relating to effective implementation of the Act and complaints involving financial irregularities.
The SOPs outline timelines for both the Centre and State for disposal of complaints. (More)
