Panchayats stare at plethora of problems

Parigi: As many as 565 villages have now new panchayat bodies as newly elected sarpanches, ward members were administered oath on Wednesday. According to the 2018 Panchayat Raj Act, there were 198 panchayats in the district, which now increased to 565, including 84 thandas which have been upgraded to panchayats.As newly formed panchayats are facing problems of infrastructure, officials have made temporary arrangements in primary schools and Anganwadi centers. 

The temporary offices do not have furniture and amenities that are needed for new panchayat bodies to discharge their duties effectively.It is known that special officers had been ruling the panchayats for the last six months as the tenure of sarpanches was over.The newly formed panchayats are facing the problem of shortage of funds. Along with 14th Finance Commission funds, local taxes are available with new panchayats. Finance Commission transfers the funds on the basis of population. At present, they are paying Rs 28 per person. 

These funds are not sufficient, especially in the case of small villages. It is learned that 565 panchayats have been taken care of by 141 secretaries. Each secretary has to take care of 5 to 6 panchayats. The latest recruitment process for 429 panchayat secretary posts has not been completed due to court cases. 

Meanwhile, the special officers who had been allotted to take care of villages are said to be turning blind eye to the village problems. As a result, villages are reeling under unaddressed problems like lack of street lights, drinking water supply, and drainage management. Drinking water problems are still taking a toll on some villages despite government launching schemes like Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya. 

However, It is a good sign that government set up new panchayats as part of the decentralisation of power. But they should be provided with sufficient amenities and staff to ensure good governance.