DO THE PANCHAYATI EMPLOYEES OF BIHAR HAVE TO FEAR OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICIALS ?

DO THE PANCHAYATI EMPLOYEES OF BIHAR HAVE TO FEAR OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICIALS ?

15-JUNE-ENG 17

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------The government spent crores of rupees, launched schemes and empowered the Panchayati Raj to strengthen the Panchayat system, the lowest unit of democracy in Bihar. But the reality is that even today in most of the Panchayat offices of Bihar, the employees either do not appear on time or do not take the work of the public seriously.

It has been observed in many panchayats that employees like Panchayat Secretary, Panchayat Employment Servant, Technical Assistant, Accountant, Executive Assistant, Revenue Employee, are not seen in the office for weeks.

The public visits the block many times for important works like birth certificate, caste-income certificate, old age/disabled pension, wages related to MNREGA, information about any work related to housing scheme land. Many times the mobile of the employees is also found switched off or they do not give proper answer when called. The question arises – do these Panchayat employees not fear the district administration and officials?

If the district administration was active, this negligence and arbitrariness of the Panchayat workers would not have been possible. If officers like DM, DDC, BDO, CO had strengthened monitoring at the Panchayat level, the general public would not have faced so much trouble.

Lack of monitoring: There is no solid, regular system of inspection in the Panchayats. Many workers have political protection at the local level. There are formal meetings at the district level, but there is no ground investigation and action. People do not complain, or after complaining, they get discouraged due to no hearing.

There should be a strict monitoring system: There should be surprise inspections at the Panchayat level and monitoring of the presence of workers.