Entitlement of government employees restored through office of the Ombudsmen

Rural Development Policy Initiative (RDPI) implemented a grant, in the thematic area of voice for effective grievance redress, through office of Ombudsmen that was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Citizens’ Voice Project in Dera Ghazi Khan and Layyah districts.

The main objective of this project was to promote public dialogue and sensitize the residents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Layyah divisions on public accountability. It also aimed to mobilize them for using existing grievance redress mechanism and to build and strengthen citizens’ oversight capacity for analyzing the nature of complaints, factors inhibiting their disposal, and tracking the performance provided by the regional offices of the Federal or Provincial Ombudsman.

These activities will result in enhanced capacity of target beneficiaries about the role and responsibilities of target public office, advocated for improvement in complaint handling process and increased interface through established civil society networks. It would also include capacitated and informed stakeholders for building civil society solidarities for seeking justice and accountability against the grievances of local citizens. It would advocate trained members of developed groups on the mandate of Ombudsperson Office and procedures to file complaints, establishing District Facilitation Desk for filing of complaints.

In order to create awareness amongst the common people about functions and reliability of office of the Ombudsman, Rural Development Policy Initiative (RDPI) organized awareness seminars to promote public dialogue for sensitizing citizens in various Districts of Dera Ghazi Khan Division. RDPI, with the help of Awami Development Organization (ADO) conducted a public dialogue in Layyah.

Mrs. Gul Yasmin, a Teacher in Government Canal Colony High School Layyah attended this event and got acquainted with functions of the Ombudsman Office. Her husband, Sajjad Hussain, is also an employ of Government of Punjab, Education Department, serving as Drawing Master in Government M. C. High School, Layyah. She has been in correspondence with Education Department in connection with scholarships of her two children, studying in different institutions. Only one of her children is receiving scholarship of Rs. 16,000 per annum, against Benevolent Fund being deducted from the salaries of both husband and wife. By virtue of the RDPI event, Mrs. Gul Yasmin, approached Rural Development Policy Initiative (RDPI) through Awami Development Organization (ADO) Layyah. She maintained that her husband and herself are both Government Servants. While the Benevolent Fund is regularly deducted from both of their monthly salaries, scholarship is given to only one of their children.

RDPI /ADO put together a strong case, with evidence and sent it over to Ombudsman Office in Layyah for redressal. The Ombudsman Office took immediate action on the application and issued notice to Education Department on the matter. The concerned official could not justify as to how the benevolent fund has been deducted from both the government employees’ salaries and that the scholarship is being paid to only one of their children which is totally unjustified and against the rules and regulations of government organizations.

On the directives of the Ombudsman Office, The Education Department, Layyah, was directed to make payment of scholarship to the other child as well. The Education Department also released the scholarship since the entitlement of Rs. 16,000 per annum was due. The checks for last three years were also released for the child, who was deprived of this privilege.

Today, both of Mrs Gul Yasmin and Sajjad Hussain children are taking benefits from Benevolent fund Scholarship Scheme and are receiving Rs. 16,000 each per annum.

It is worth mentioning here that this case has set a precedent for a number of parents serving in various government departments whose children are deprived of their rightful scholarship entitlements. The copy of the notification was also obtained by All Pakistan Clerk Association (Punjab Chapter) as an evidence for producing as reference/precedent to their respective departments for availing this privilege.