Punjab ombudsman: ‘Government failing to implement my orders’

Ombudsman tells advisers to look into projects in their areas.

LAHORE:

The government has not set up a monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the ombudsman’s orders, so the ombudsman has decided to do this through his own office.

Addressing a meeting with his advisers, Ombudsman Javed Mahmood said that without a monitoring mechanism, it was no surprise that his orders were not being implemented quick eough. Therefore, the office would take on the responsibility of monitoring implementation, according to a press release.

Mahmood said that government officers appeared reluctant to implement his orders. “They must keep in mind that the ombudsman’s office is closely watching their business, their performance and public complaints,” he said.

The ombudsman told his advisers to submit reports to the departments concerned on the instances of maladministration they had seen on their Wednesday tours. He said that a number of development schemes were incomplete due to non-availability of staff, furniture and machinery, despite huge amounts being spent on them.

The ombudsman directed the advisers to collect information on all schemes in their areas and, as well as refer violations to the authority concerned, to also announce punishments themselves.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2013.