PR & RD gets big push with Rs 18,237 crore

Hyderabad: The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department was allocated Rs 18,237 crore in this financial year, it was Rs 2,675 crore more than the allocations made in 2018-19 budget.

In the previous financial year, a total of Rs 15,562 crore had been allocated to the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development.

The government aimed at strengthening the Panchayat Raj institutions by creating new wings. In the past, there were nine District Panchayat Offices in the State.

The number of offices was now increased to 32 and to ensure that there was one Divisional Level Panchayat Officer (DLPO) at every Revenue Division, the number of DLPOs was increased from 28 to 68.

Earlier there were 438 Panchayat Raj Extension Officers and the number was now increased to 539 and designation was changed to Mandal Panchayat Officer.

The government had brought Comprehensive Rural policy to develop model villages. Recently, the new Panchayat Raj Act was introduced and the duties and responsibilities of each and every functionary was clearly defined.

There was also clarity on the powers, duties, functions, funds and responsibilities of the local bodies. If anyone was guilty of dereliction of duties, they can be removed from the service under the new Act.

The government is making a serious effort with commitment to revive and restore the past glory of the local bodies. With the reforms to the Panchayat Raj system being introduced, it is hoped that villages will have more green cover and hygiene conditions will improve.

To usher in a new phase in village governance, a 30-day Special Action Plan is being implemented from September 6.

The Government is filling up all the vacancies to strengthen the Panchayat Raj Department.

It has increased the salaries of sanitation workers to Rs 8,500 a month, who were till now taking care of sanitary work on a meagre salary and the hike benefitted 36,000.