Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Panchayats are the new supra bodies to monitor the functioning of government departments at the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.
From keeping a tab on employees to redressing public grievances, Panches and Sarpanches are the new eyes and ears of the government at the village level.
An official of the Rural Development Department said the government has decided to constitute inspection teams to ensure 100 percent attendance of employees at the Panchayat level.
Official documents assessed by News Vibes of India reveal that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed Deputy Commissioners to constitute teams for overseeing the punctuality of officials at sub division block level.
“Divisional Commissioner directed DCs to involve Block Development Council chairpersons, Sarpanches, Urban Local Body members at the grassroots level and plan formulated identification of works and also supervision of works,” the documents read.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has also asked the officials to evolve a mechanism for installing drop boxes in all Panchayat Halqas so that people can feel free to register their complaints. Officials have been directed to ensure that the complaints, grievances, and suggestions received are properly addressed.
“Besides, the complainant should be informed about the action taken on his complaint. District Development Commissioners shall regularly monitor the execution of Back To Village works and ensure their completion by March 2020,” Divisional Commissioner has directed officers.
Jammu and Kashmir administration has released Rs 50 crore for works identified during ‘Back to Village’ programme 2.0 held in last week of November last year.
“Officials have been told to work on developmental projects. People at Panchayat Halqas can also give feedback about all these works through complaint box,” an official of the Finance Department said.
The government has also directed the officers to maintain records of works and ensure transparency in the utilisation of funds.
Earlier, Panches and Sarpanches were given powers to take decisions over the development works in their respective ‘halqas’ in Jammu and Kashmir. They were also given control of 21 departments at the Gram Panchayat level.
