New Delhi Feb 24 PTI Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday expressed concern over non-appointment of ombudspersons for MGNREGA in various districts and said it has also come to notice that persons belonging to political parties were appointed at many places Singh on Thursday launched Ombudsperson App for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and said it is a step towards e-governance and will be helpful in ensuring transparency and accountabilityExpressing concern over the non-appointment of Ombudspersons Giriraj said The appointment of Ombudsperson has not yet been made in many districts It has also come to notice that persons belonging to political parties were appointed at various places the ministry said in an official statementThe minister also requested all the states and Union Territories to cooperate with the central government in making MGNREGA more transparent by using the Ombudsperson AppAs per the MGNREGA act there is a provision for appointment of Ombudsperson in all states Ombudspersons are appointed by the states depending on their size for disposal of the grievances of the MGNREGA beneficiaries in a time-bound mannerThe app will enable easy tracking and timely passing of awards by Ombudsperson on each case as per the guidelines Ombudsperson can also easily upload the quarterly and annual reports on the website through the app the ministry said PTI JTR JTR TIR TIR