Renaissance in Telangana’s villages : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Renaissance in Telangana’s villages

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Telangana Today (09-08-2019)

The unwavering will of the Telangana Government is seen in the formulation of new Panchayati Raj Act. The Act aims at converting every village into a progressive, prosperous and ideal place, brimming with greenery and cleanliness. By clearly enunciating the roles and responsibilities of elected representatives and officials, it shows the comprehensive understanding of the government. The Act aims to ensure people’s participation to bring the desired qualitative change in village administration.

The state government curtailed its own powers in the Act, with the sole objective of village advancement and development. For instance, the power it had earlier in staying the suspension orders of Serpanch is now done away and Collector is made all powerful.     

Allocation of funds by state government which was at the will and pleasure of it is now made mandatory. Carry forward of unreleased funds in a particular year to the next year is also made mandatory. Almost all powers are decentralized and now delegated to local bodies. Having given role clarity of the people’s representatives and having made release of funds mandatory, the government is now firm and would like to be harsh with the local government representatives and officials with regard to the discharge of their duties.

‘Orphan’ Villages      

Though we are entering into 73^rd year of independence, the fate of villages is still not well. None literally owns them. Villages are full of debris, dilapidated houses, unhygienic conditions with cattle ranches, snakes, weeds, dung, mosquitoes, dirty water pits, polluted air, water and food, neglected borewells, mad dogs, pigs, monkeys, bent electricity poles and so on. This is not limited to one state but prevails in the entire country. This calls for a change, a drastic change.

A change needed to be ignited and Telangana has done it. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has taken up the gigantic task of village resurrection and renaissance and the new Panchayati Raj is the enabling framework for it. The basic premise of PR Act is to bring qualitative change in villages and village development would now largely depend on the successful implementation of this well meaningful Act.

Rewarding Hard work

Serpanch, Upa-Serpanch and ward members were elected recently in every village panchayat. New panchayat secretaries too were recruited. They are all anxious to bring qualitative change in their respective villages under their leadership. They are desirous of winning the hearts of people so that they can get reelected. The PR Act enunciates a provision wherein the reservation has been made applicable for ten years enabling the sitting Serpanch to get reelected. This provides an opportunity for those working hard and selflessly to go in for durable development.

The erstwhile concept that Serpanch alone being all powerful in a village is wrong. Village Panchayat is a combination of Serpanch, Upa-Serpanch and ward members. In addition to them in every Panchayat there will be three co-opted members comprising of a retired employee with inspiration for village development or a senior citizen; one among the village level associations president and a prospective donor for village development. Except voting right, these coopted members have all the equal powers like the elected members.

Four Committees

There will also be four standing committees on Sanitation management, village lights management, plantation and village market committees comprising village elders to make suggestions to the panchayat. Each committee will have either 15 or 20 or 30 members and in all 60 to 120 depending upon the size of village. They will be empowered to review all subjects entrusted to them. The recommendations of these committees are made mandatory for consideration.

Gangidevipally village is the inspiration for forming these committees. The Gramsabha has the power to review all works pertaining to the village and panchayat is accountable to Gramsabha. Any objection from Gramsabha is valid and binding on panchayat. In other words, the Serpanch has to work in close coordination and cooperation with Upa-Serpanch, ward members, cooption members and standing committee members.

Cheque Power

The cheque power is jointly given to Serpanch and Upa-Serpanch. The bills, only for the works taken-up with the approval of Gram Panchayat are to be cleared. There is no scope for personal whims and fancies. Neither Serpanch nor Upa-Serpanch nor ward member can claim payment for the works executed by them from the village panchayat funds. It is unfair to demand that the cheque power should be given only to Serpanch and not jointly.

In fact, ward members too are demanding that they be made partners in the development of village. Moreover, unlike in the past, now there is no scope for issuing cheques as and when Serpanch desires. In accordance with the provisions of Act, the 60-day action plan announced by the government will be implemented shortly. This will also regulate the payments and release of cheques.       

The Government directly provides several services and facilities required in the villages so that there is no burden on the village panchayats. As part of Mission Bhagiratha through RWS safe drinking water is provided to every house. Round the clock quality power is supplied by energy department. Investment support through Rythu Bandhu is provided by agriculture department. Fine rice scheme is implemented. Through Anganwadis pregnant women and lactating mothers as well as children are provided nutritious food. Rice and other commodities are supplied through ration shops. Aasara pensions are directly paid by state government. KCR Kits are provided through health centers. All these and many more works are done without the involvement of village panchayats and without touching the village funds.

Panchayat’s Responsibilities

Village panchayats, therefor, have to focus on village sanitation, garbage clearance among other responsibilities. Carrying garbage to dumping yards and converting it as compost fertilizer is the responsibility of panchayats. Under the new Act, a fine of Rs 500 is imposed for dropping waste on the road. By making use of the provisions of the Act, village panchayats should strive to convert villages spick and span. Plantation and their protection is another important responsibility. Village lights management and tax collection too fall under their domain.

With these there will be a qualitative change in village administration. Villages have to be improved. Wickedness must go. This is the idea behind new Panchayat Raj Act. The Government is firm that the Telangana villages should become model villages in India. It is the responsibility of every individual to see to it that the revolutionary Act is implemented in its letter and spirit. This is the best opportunity to develop our villages. The people and their representatives must work hand in hand towards making model villages under this Act.