Andhra Pradesh

Panchayats upgraded

VISAKHAPATNAM: District Panchayat Officer Satya Sai Srinivas has said that 18 of the 944 panchayats in the district have been upgraded to e-panchayats recently.

At a meeting of the Visakhapatnam District Sarpanchs Association on Thursday, he said that online services have started in those panchayats with the introduction of the facility. The State Government has plans to make all the remaining panchayats in the district ‘e-panchayats’. He felt that most of the sarpanches were doing a wonderful task for the development of the village despite shortage of funds.

Mr. Srinivas, however, said that some sarpanches were indulging in unethical practices like diversion of funds either due to lack of awareness or due to their political leanings.

He reminded that sarpanches were not elected on party basis and hence should remain apolitical in the execution of their work.

He said that during his eight-year stint as DPO he had hardly summoned any sarpanches but tried to resolve issues amicably. He felt that officials should guide sarpanches in a proper manner.

The annual budget of about 150 panchayats in the district does not even cross Rs.10,000 and those have to literally do the tight rope walk in taking up development works.

The DPO felicitated some of the sarpanches who had made outstanding contribution to the development of their respective villages.

Association president Malla Ravi and honorary president Gade Rosi Reddy said that the sarpanches were prepared to remain apolitical, if the Government sanctioned the development funds directly to them (sarpanches).

Mr. Srinivas released the Sarpanches Diary – 2008 brought out by the association.

A host of association leaders and office-bearers participated in the meeting.

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