BDOs to look after GPs, panchayat samitis in SMP

Temporary arrangement to cease once elected bodies are in place

SNS, SILIGURI, 10 NOVEMBER 2020 : Following criticism from some quarters about the state government's alleged inaction after the tenure of gram panchayats (GP) and panchayat samitis in Darjeeling district ended, the Special Secretary to the Government of West Bengal has issued an order, stating that Block Development Officers (BDO) will take custody of those rural bodies in their respective areas and take ahead its day-to-day functioning until elected bodies are constituted again.

According to the order, the BDO will take custody of documents like cash book, liquid cash, cheque books, bank pass books, all important registers for stocks, assets and other transactions in each GP under the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad (SMP).

"All employees of the GP will assist the BDO in preparing an inventory of those important documents and records," the order issued today states. The order further says that routine work of the GPs may be looked after by an Extension Officer of the Block concerned under the leadership of the BDO. 

"For each Panchayat Samiti, the Block Development Officer and Ex-Officio Executive Officer shall remain responsible for custody of the related documents, registers etc of the Panchayat Samiti concerned," the order states.

The order pointed out that this will be a temporary working arrangement, which will cease automatically once the elected Panchayat bodies are constituted. "The District Magistrate of the district concerned shall ensure compliance of this order and send action taken report," it adds.

The sahhadhipati of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, Tapas Sarkar, had earlier today written to state minister for panchayat & rural development department, Subrata Mukheriee, over the guidelines for the functioning of the GPs and PS, following the completion of their tenure. Mr Sarkar said that in absence of any directive, the local people will face problems due to the rural bodies remaining non-functional.

Mr Sarkar also said that the tenure of the SMP will end on 15 November.

It may be noted here that some pradhans of the GPs and Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista had expressed concerns about the expiry of the tenure of the rural bodies and the alleged inaction of the state government. They said daily services were being hit by the situation at hand.

A state government order issued today states that the BDO will take custody of documents, liquid cash, cheque books, bank pass books, all important registers for stocks, assets and other transactions in each GP and PS under the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad until new rural boards are constituted.