APPOINTMENT OF CLERKS IN PANCHAYATS IS A WELCOME STEP BUT APPOINTMENT OF PEONS AND GUARDS IS ALSO NECESSARY

APPOINTMENT OF CLERKS IN PANCHAYATS IS A WELCOME STEP BUT APPOINTMENT OF PEONS AND GUARDS IS ALSO NECESSARY

14-JUNE-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------The Bihar government has recently announced that clerks will be appointed in all the panchayats of the state. This decision is definitely a big step towards strengthening the administration at the village level. This will not only bring transparency in monitoring and accounting of schemes, but common people will also get convenience in the work related to the Panchayat office.

But the question is, will the Panchayat office become fully functional by just appointing a clerk? The answer is – no. The village government needs ground support force. The functionality of a Panchayat office cannot be fulfilled by just one clerk. Appointment of at least one peon and one security guard is equally important.

Role of peon: General operation of the office (bringing and taking files, cleaning, tea-water etc.), Giving information to visitors and delivering necessary documents to the officials, Help to elderly, uneducated or female beneficiaries.

Need for security guards: Security of Panchayat Bhawan, especially at night, Security of documents, computers, important registers and equipment, Monitoring the activities of unruly elements, Incidents of theft, arson or disappearance of documents have been reported in many Panchayat offices of Bihar earlier also. Absence of guards invites such incidents.

Like Panchayat clerk, there should be a provision for permanent recruitment of peon and guard in every Panchayat. For this, priority should be given to local unemployed youth, so that the youth of the village also get employment. Panchayat offices should also be equipped with computers, internet and proper seating arrangements.

Panchayati Raj system is the root of democracy. Strengthening it will not be possible only by sending plans – but only by availability of sufficient human resources at the ground level for its implementation. The government has announced the recruitment of clerks, now there is a need to give priority to the recruitment of peons and security guards, so that the Panchayat Bhawan can really be strengthened as the “village government”.