ROLE OF PANCHAYAT EXECUTIVE ASSISTGANTS IN BIHAR TO BE RFVIEWED

ROLE OF PANCHAYAT EXECUTIVE ASSISTGANTS IN BIHAR TO BE RFVIEWED

1-AUG-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------The Bihar Panchayati Raj Department has initiated a review of the work and future utility of Panchayat Executive Assistants. A decision was taken during a departmental meeting to assess the need for these assistants—given that their primary scheme-based tasks are largely complete and posts for Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) have been created in panchayats—and to submit a proposal to the government based on this assessment.

According to a departmental letter, Executive Assistants were initially appointed for tasks related to the e-Panchayat portal, the Chief Minister's Rural Drinking Water Scheme, and the 'Gali-Nali' (lane and drain) scheme. Currently, they assist with birth and death registration, RTPS services, Aadhaar-related work, record maintenance, and other administrative duties.

The meeting also noted that several tasks—such as birth and death registration, RTPS, and Aadhaar-related work—are now being handled through Common Service Centers (CSCs), while the e-Panchayat portal is operated by the Panchayat Secretary. Additionally, 8,093 posts for Lower Division Clerks (LDCs) have been created for Gram Panchayats, effective from 2025.

In light of these circumstances, the department has decided to review the future utility of Executive Assistants and submit a proposal to the government. However, the departmental letter contains no order to terminate the services of the Executive Assistants; for now, this is merely a process involving review and planning for future action.