THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Director of NREGS Mission has sought a report on the incident of Panchayat Secretaries denying employment to those who do not pay user fees to Haritha Karma Sena, who come to houses and collect non-organic waste. The officials are playing hide and seek by replying that there were complaints earlier but not now.

The Mission Director sought a report from the District Program Coordinators (JPC). The JPCs asked the Block Program Officers and they asked the Panchayat Secretaries for a report. The secretaries replied that there were no complaints. However, complaints are pending before NREGS ombudsmen in many districts. Recently, the LSG minister had forwarded the complaint received from Thenmala panchayat to the state mission. Mission authorities intervened and resolved the problem.

NREGS Mission intervenes only when there are complaints. The Mission is concerned that someone will approach the Centre alleging illegal activity if a circular is issued not to deny employment on account of user fees, which will aggravate the problem.

Whom to complain to?

The rule requires displaying the names and phone numbers of the ombudsmen, the grievance redressal mechanism of the NREGS scheme. Most places don't have it. This is the main reason why many such complaints do not reach the outside world. The poor will leave after listening to what the people in the panchayat say.