KCR asks Sarpanches to develop Villages

Hyderabad, Feb 6 (INN): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has strongly desired that it is only when the villages are developed the country develops and as such the developmental plan of the state should be based on the development of the villages.

The Chief Minister gave a call to the newly elected Sarpanches and ward members that they should work together for the all-round progress of the villages with the participation of all villagers. He said that the required funds and responsibilities will be allotted to the village Panchayats and hence the Sarpanches and the village Panchayat Secretaries should work with responsibility. Since activities like drinking water supply, power supply, laying of roads etc which are important to the village are being directly handled by the state government, the village Panchayats should concentrate more on village cleanliness, sanitation, greenery, construction of crematoriums etc.

KCR suggested that the resource persons who would be imparting training to the Sarpanches should shoulder the responsibility of transforming Sarpanches and village secretaries as change agents. He made it very clear that the government would be very liberal in devolving and delegating the powers as well as in providing funds, but at the same time if either the funds are misused or if they are negligent in discharging their duties, the Sarpanches and or the secretaries would be suspended in accordance with the provisions of new Panchayat Raj act.

The Chief Minister had an interactive session at Pragathi Bhavan on Wednesday with resource persons who would be imparting training to the newly elected Sarpanches and village secretaries. Chief Advisor to government Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary SK Joshi, MLAs DS Redya Nayak, Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Singi Reddy Niranjan Reddy, Bollam Mallaiah Yadav, MDC Chairman Seri Subhash Reddy, Former MLA V. Chander Rao, Panchayat Raj Secretary Vikas Raj, Commissioner Nitu Prasad, SERP CEO Pausumi Basu, CMO Secretary Smita Sabarwal and others participated in the meeting.

Addressing the resource persons, the Chief Minister said that the resource persons should provide the necessary understanding and awareness to the Sarpanches to work with dedication and commitment for the development of the villages.

The Chief Minister said that every village by accessing the resources within the village and the needs of the village should prepare a five-year plan for the village. He said that in accordance with the village plan the village works are to be taken up. At present where the village is? Where should we reach after five years? What would be the quantum of funds in five years? What works have to be taken up with these funds? Are the issues which are to be discussed and then enter into the activity, suggested the CM.

In the first phase the plan should give importance to village greenery, sanitation, construction of crematorium and collection of taxes pertaining to the village. He said that in preparation of this plan the resource person are expected to give suggestions to Sarpanches and village secretaries. He said that the resource persons are expected to provide a clear-cut understanding about the village development and prepare them to get inspiration and awareness for village development as well as warn them not to be negligent in discharging their duties and responsibilities. He said the government would be very harsh if they don't follow this. The CM said that the resource persons are expected to become a change agents and mentors in making a modern rural Telangana. He said that he would meet and interact with the resource persons once in every six months to get a feedback from them.