Civic chief discusses merged panchayats’ management

Employee management, sanitation, revenue and beautification aspects discussed

The commissioner held a review meeting with secretaries of gram panchayaths, zonal commissioners, additional commissioners and deputy commissioners of GHMC with regard to merger of certain gram panchayaths within the limits of the GHMC.

MT Krishna Babu, Commissioner, GHMC said that until GHMC gets a clarity from government regarding staffing pattern of the recently merged gram panchayaths, the existing system of administration will run in order to avoid any problems and issues relating to salaries. The commissioner held a review meeting with secretaries of gram panchayaths, zonal commissioners, additional commissioners and deputy commissioners of GHMC with regard to merger of certain gram panchayaths within the limits of the GHMC. The commissioner said that GHMC will send a proposal to the government by duly taking the options of existing employees regarding their continuation in either GHMC or Panchayath Raj Department.

The commissioner while interacting with the officials of gram panchayath said that he has written a letter to the secretary, panchayath raj department requesting not to redeploy the existing panchayath raj staff for further 3 months. The commissioner directed the deputy commissioners to freeze the staff particulars panchayath wise and send the same to the additional commissioner (admn) along with their appointment process and increment details etc., He enquired the process of sanitation, garbage lifting, water supply, street lights, storm water drains and sources of revenue of gram panchayaths. He further informed that within 2 months, GHMC will be issuing uniform guidelines.

The commissioner directed the zonal commissioners to identify places for transfer stations for garbage immediately, if government lands are there GHMC will seek the permission of the collector for construction of compound walls to safeguard the government properties. The commissioner further promised that every support will be given to the officials for the betterment of civic facilities.

The Commissioner also directed the officials of the gram panchayaths to submit the proposals on all immediate issues such as water supply, underground drainage (for laying extra pipelines), sewerage lines for new colonies, street lights for occupied habitations by duly involving public representatives and public. Responding to the request of the gram panchayath officials regarding nonpayment of salaries for August, he has directed them to prepare and submit the salary bills to the concerned deputy commissioner immediately.

The Commissioner directed the deputy commissioner to hold regular weekly meetings with the secretaries of the gram panchayaths until the system is stabilised and directed to payments for ongoing works. He further directed to construct compound walls for government open lands where there is a risk of encroachments and also said that constructing compound walls for burial grounds is one of the priorities of GHMC. The commissioner said that GHMC is planning to develop a major park in each of the merged gram panchayaths and directed the gram panchayath officials to submit their proposals to additional commissioner (urban biodiversity) for taking up plantation in Government open places.