Task cut out for newly-elected GPs

Medak: It is the newly-elected representatives in the villages who are facing problems due to non-working of the past elected panchayats. Besides the long-time unaddressed problems like drinking water and drainage maintenance, some panchayats even don’t have furniture to conduct meetings.

There are 469 panchayats in the district. The roads have become congested with pits of mission Bhagiratha and there is a need for funds to renovate them. The State government’s decision to create a nursery in each village is moving at a snail’s pace.

Meanwhile, Medak district panchayat officer told in a meeting that property tax dues are soaring in the villages as officials have been given election duties. Sarpanches have to take necessary actions to clear the dues and should find ways to generate income in the newly-formed panchayats. Employment assurance scheme can bail out the panchayats from distress if it is properly utilised. Minimum amenities will be gathered using this scheme. The State government has already sought increase in working days from 100 to 150.

People of Chegunta and Rukmapur are facing water scarcity problem as they are not availing the benefits of Mission Bhagiratha.

As newly-formed panchayats are facing the problem of infrastructure, officials made temporary arrangements in primary schools and Anganwadi centers. The temporary offices don’t have furniture and amenities that are needed to discharge the duties of the new administration. Villages in Chief Minister’s constituency are also reeling under unaddressed problems like garbage management and drainage issues. Some villages don’t have proper street lights, and, in some villages, lights are not working.

Newly-elected representatives should take immediate steps to resolve the issues to take the villages forward in all sections.