Latest news with #NationalInstituteofRuralDevelopmentandPanchayatiRaj
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MGNREGA ombudspersons in Telangana left in lurch?
Hyderabad: They are known as the Guardians of Accountability in rural areas, upholding a promise made to the poor and appointed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Their role requires vigilance, impartiality, and compassion to ensure that the promises made under India's flagship employment guarantee scheme reach the intended beneficiaries. They are responsible for scrutinizing complaints, resolving grievances, and listening to voices often drowned out by administrative layers. Currently, the MGNREGA Ombudspersons, responsible for ensuring transparency in job allocations for the poor, are facing several challenges. Their salaries are not paid on time, and they frequently do not receive information regarding the renewal of their services. This situation has persisted for the Ombudspersons ever since their appointment a couple of years ago in Telangana. According to the norms, Ombudspersons should be qualified legal professionals appointed by the state government after recommendations from a selection committee and approval by the Chief Secretary. All the Ombudspersons appointed by the Telangana State government were tasked in their appointment letters to uphold 'Chapter 3 of the Instructions on Ombudsperson' under MGNREGA.' In addition to their legal qualifications, they also participated in a structured training program at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) in Hyderabad. This five-day training is mandatory and aims to educate them on policy formulation, advocacy, and technological integration, transforming oversight from a bureaucratic obligation into a meaningful safeguard. Individuals appointed under Section 27 of MGNREGA serve as independent authorities for grievance redressal, ensuring transparency and fairness in the implementation of the scheme. In rural areas, where development schemes often clash with ground realities, the MGNREGA Ombudsperson stands as a unique guardian. The Ombudsperson is not merely a bureaucratic figure; they investigate complaints from workers, inspect work sites, review delays in wage payments, and ensure that entitlements under the Act are upheld. However, sadly, the 'File reference no. PRRD_RD1/2094/A1/2024,' related to their pending emoluments, has remained unresolved for the past year. Besides, they are not receiving their salaries on time. Furthermore, according to the regulations of MGNREGA, they were appointed for a maximum tenure of two years (which can be extended twice) and have an age limit of 68. These appointments undergo rigorous screening by a selection committee comprising senior state officials, representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development, and civil society. According to the regulations, they were to receive a remuneration of Rs 2,250 per sitting, with a maximum of Rs 45,000 per month, and be considered as pro bono service. However, they were appointed on consolidated pay. Although the tenure of their appointments has lapsed, there has been no word from the government regarding their extensions. Speaking to The Hans India, one official stated, 'We don't have any idea when the pending emoluments will be cleared or when the state government will give clarity on whether we should continue, as the fate of extension has so far remained unknown.' Beyond documentation, their work is deeply human—listening to wage earners, inspecting muster rolls, and acting against the misuse of public funds. Whether investigating gender discrimination, delayed payments, or contractor violations, Ombudspersons play a crucial accountability role in India's largest employment program. As the government enhances its digital presence and promotes inclusive development, these watchdogs embody a combination of grassroots vigilance and institutional strength—ensuring that rural voices are not only heard but also acted upon. However, the indecisiveness of the state government regarding their extension and the clearance of their pending emoluments has left the Ombudspersons of MGNREGA in a difficult position. Sources in the State Panchayat Raj Department say that the emoluments of these officials were released by the Centre, and funds for the scheme have already been allocated to the state government. Therefore, the question remains: Where has the money gone, and why are they not receiving their salaries on time?
United News of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
NIRDPR marks world rural development day with global webinar on integrated development models
Hyderabad, July 6 (UNI) The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, commemorated World Rural Development Day by hosting an international webinar on the theme 'Integrated Rural Development– International Experiences.' The event brought together global experts, practitioners, and policymakers to share innovative models and insights for inclusive and sustainable rural growth. The session opened with a keynote address by Dr P Chandra Shekara, Director General of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Dhaka. He presented a rich array of international case studies—from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to Vietnam, Iran, and Thailand—showcasing how digital tools and community-centric models are transforming rural economies. Highlights included the FarmNot climate-smart app in the Philippines, UNESCO's digital education initiatives in Myanmar, and the Echo platform collaboration with New Mexico University in the USA. Dr Partha Pratim Sahu, Head of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Financial Inclusion at NIRDPR, stressed the strategic potential of rural India as an engine of national growth. He emphasiSed the importance of entrepreneurship, digital empowerment, and decentralized governance in reshaping the rural economy. Speaking on inclusion, Dr Ruchira Bhattacharya from NIRDPR (Delhi Branch) called for equity-focused policies to ensure that marginalized communities are central to rural development planning. In a special address, Dr G Narendra Kumar, Director General of NIRDPR, celebrated leading international innovations and underscored the importance of learning from global best practices. He highlighted transformative models like China's Township and Village Enterprises, the Rural Meta Cooperatives in the USA, UK, and Italy, Japan and Thailand's One Village One Product initiative, Repair Cafes in Europe, and the Smart Villages Project of Finland. He also lauded carbon farming and green credits initiatives from Australia and Kenya as models India can learn from. Dr Kumar affirmed NIRDPR's commitment to adopting and adapting global rural development strategies for India, recognising that integrated planning, digital inclusion, climate resilience, and skill development are key to building stronger rural communities. The webinar witnessed enthusiastic participation from rural development professionals, academicians, and policymakers from India and abroad, reinforcing NIRDPR's position as a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation in rural transformation. UNI VV ARN
Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Months after govt slashed grant, organisation under rural ministry flags unpaid medical claims, delayed salaries
Facing non-payment of medical claims and salary delays following the Centre's move to slash its grant, the employees' body of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has urged Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to intervene. The NIRDPR is the apex institute for training and research in rural development and functions as a think tank for the Rural Development Ministry. Representatives of the NIRDPR employees' body and academic association met Chouhan during his visit to Hyderabad on Monday. Some BJP leaders including V Sreedhar Reddy, General Secretary of Telangana's Ranga Reddy district, accompanied the representatives. Reddy told The Indian Express that they submitted a letter to the minister that highlights the issues faced by the employees after the grant-in-aid to the NIRDPR from the financial year 2025-26 was stopped. The letter mentions four issues: non-payment and delay in payment of salaries to the employees and Self Help Group (SHG) workers; 'forcing' employees to give an undertaking that they are taking salaries as loan which will have to be repaid; non-payment of medical claims, children education allowance, LTC claims, among others; and 'non-transparent' and 'unaccountable' functioning of the Director General and no dialogue by the DG with employees regarding service conditions post 'disengagement'. Disengagement means the discontinuation of grant-in aid. The Centre has slashed the NIRDPR budgetary allocation to just Rs 1 lakh for financial year 2025-26 from Rs 73.68 crore in revised estimates of the 2024-25 financial year and Rs 75.69 crore in 2023-24. In its letter, the NIRDPR Academic Association has urged the minister to take action. The letter has also urged the minister to nominate two Ministry of Rural Development officers as Deputy Director General in-charge and Registrar in-charge at the NIRDPR. NIRDPR focuses on training, capacity building, research and policy advocacy, and runs academic programs in regular and distance modes. The courses include Diploma in Rural Development Management and Tribal Development Management.
