Steps taken to empower panchayats in Rajasthan

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, MAY 10. A series of measures are being initiated in Rajasthan to empower panchayats and generate enthusiasm among elected representatives and field functionaries. The State Board of Revenue has asked the Collectors and Tehsildars to convene tehsil-level meetings of sarpanches to orient them in revenue work.

The attempt is to throw open the panchayat ``ghar'' bringing together people and field functionaries for collective effort in decision making,'' according to Mr. I. C. Srivastava, Chairman, Board of Revenue. It has been made mandatory for the patwaris to attend meetings every month to dispose of revenue and other work. Now, the sarpanches would not only sanction mutations, but also ensure maintenance of a register for the purpose at the panchayat office, Mr. Srivastava said.

Mr. Srivastava referred to a recent workshop in Ajmer for representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions and revenue officials. At the workshop, it had been suggested that village committees be strengthened to keep track of field officials like patwari, teacher, ANM and others.

The workshop was organised to highlight the existing powers of the panchayats besides recommending more powers to demarcate village and field boundaries, removal of encroachments from ``abadi'' land, maintenance of register of families inhabiting the panchayat area, management of pasture and other common land.

It has been recommended that each panchayat should have a separate secretary for office work. In the absence of a fulltime secretary, additional charge could be given to a teacher or any other field functionary acceptable to the panchayat.

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Section  : Regional
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