Suspected Misuse Of Fundas In Praja Seva Campaign Programme Being Conducted Merely As a Formality Officials Silent When Questioned
Suspected Misuse of Funds in Praja Seva Campaign
Programme Being Conducted Merely as a Formality; Officials Silent When Questioned!
Need 24 News
Devadurga: Although the government has issued clear guidelines on how the Praja Seva Campaign should be organised, the programme is not being implemented effectively in the taluk due to a lack of commitment among officials. As a result, the very objective of the programme is being undermined.
The Praja Seva programme was introduced by the government with the objective of resolving people's problems at the spot and preventing them from having to move from one government office to another. However, several questions are now being raised about the manner in which the programme itself is being organised. There also appears to be a lack of transparency in the utilisation of funds released in the name of public service.
An amount of ₹1 lakh is reportedly being provided for the taluk-level Praja Seva programme, while ₹50,000 is allocated for meetings at the hobli level attended by officials. However, there is a need for a clear account of where this money has been spent, to whom payments have been made and what arrangements the funds have been used for.
According to the guidelines for organising the hobli-level Praja Seva programme, Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) are required to arrange necessary facilities such as tables and chairs through the respective Gram Panchayats for setting up counters for various departments.
However, in some programmes, only the stage is provided with a shamiana, while seating arrangements for the public are reportedly being made under the scorching sun. An order issued by the Taluk Tahsildar to the Gram Panchayat Development Officers regarding the arrangements has also come to light.
«“The Praja Seva programme organised by the government is a good initiative. However, due to negligence by officials, people's problems are not receiving proper attention. Lack of coordination among officials is defeating the basic objective of the programme,” said Kausar Gokul Bhoovaji, a local resident.»
Meanwhile, a Panchayat Development Officer, who did not wish to disclose their name, expressed concern that the Tahsildar is allegedly putting additional pressure on PDOs to make arrangements for all facilities and threatening to report them to higher authorities for disciplinary action if they fail to do so.
Although the rules require officials from all departments to participate in the programme, some departments and officials are reportedly remaining absent. This has raised questions among the public: What action will be taken against the departments and officials who remain absent? Are the government's rules being confined merely to paper?
The guidelines also state that, with the assistance of field-level officials and staff, pre-printed application forms along with lists of required documents should be delivered door-to-door to the public at least 15 days before the meeting. However, this system has reportedly not been implemented, raising questions about the reason for such negligence.
The government guidelines also reportedly require an LED screen to be installed at the programme. However, despite the requirement, LED screens are allegedly not being used at the programmes.
As per government rules, the Gram Panchayat is responsible for providing basic infrastructure for the Praja Seva Campaign. Although the government is directly providing funds for the campaign, officials are allegedly putting additional pressure on PDOs to spend money from their own resources. A PDO who did not wish to reveal their identity expressed concern over the issue.
Overall, concerns are being raised that the basic objective of the Praja Seva Campaign is being diluted due to alleged improper utilisation of funds and inadequate implementation by the taluk administration.
Programme Being Conducted Merely as a Formality; Officials Silent When Questioned!
Need 24 News
Devadurga: Although the government has issued clear guidelines on how the Praja Seva Campaign should be organised, the programme is not being implemented effectively in the taluk due to a lack of commitment among officials. As a result, the very objective of the programme is being undermined.
The Praja Seva programme was introduced by the government with the objective of resolving people's problems at the spot and preventing them from having to move from one government office to another. However, several questions are now being raised about the manner in which the programme itself is being organised. There also appears to be a lack of transparency in the utilisation of funds released in the name of public service.
An amount of ₹1 lakh is reportedly being provided for the taluk-level Praja Seva programme, while ₹50,000 is allocated for meetings at the hobli level attended by officials. However, there is a need for a clear account of where this money has been spent, to whom payments have been made and what arrangements the funds have been used for.
According to the guidelines for organising the hobli-level Praja Seva programme, Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) are required to arrange necessary facilities such as tables and chairs through the respective Gram Panchayats for setting up counters for various departments.
However, in some programmes, only the stage is provided with a shamiana, while seating arrangements for the public are reportedly being made under the scorching sun. An order issued by the Taluk Tahsildar to the Gram Panchayat Development Officers regarding the arrangements has also come to light.
«“The Praja Seva programme organised by the government is a good initiative. However, due to negligence by officials, people's problems are not receiving proper attention. Lack of coordination among officials is defeating the basic objective of the programme,” said Kausar Gokul Bhoovaji, a local resident.»
Meanwhile, a Panchayat Development Officer, who did not wish to disclose their name, expressed concern that the Tahsildar is allegedly putting additional pressure on PDOs to make arrangements for all facilities and threatening to report them to higher authorities for disciplinary action if they fail to do so.
Although the rules require officials from all departments to participate in the programme, some departments and officials are reportedly remaining absent. This has raised questions among the public: What action will be taken against the departments and officials who remain absent? Are the government's rules being confined merely to paper?
The guidelines also state that, with the assistance of field-level officials and staff, pre-printed application forms along with lists of required documents should be delivered door-to-door to the public at least 15 days before the meeting. However, this system has reportedly not been implemented, raising questions about the reason for such negligence.
The government guidelines also reportedly require an LED screen to be installed at the programme. However, despite the requirement, LED screens are allegedly not being used at the programmes.
As per government rules, the Gram Panchayat is responsible for providing basic infrastructure for the Praja Seva Campaign. Although the government is directly providing funds for the campaign, officials are allegedly putting additional pressure on PDOs to spend money from their own resources. A PDO who did not wish to reveal their identity expressed concern over the issue.
Overall, concerns are being raised that the basic objective of the Praja Seva Campaign is being diluted due to alleged improper utilisation of funds and inadequate implementation by the taluk administration.