Panchayat of Bills

In a village panchayat in the joint Karimnagar district, development work was done to the extent of Rs.22 lakh. While Sarpanchi’s husband has been carrying out these development works, he is seriously worried about the non-arrival of bills for nine months.

282 Crore funds are being raised in panchayats,
waiting for six to eight months today – Hyderabad

In a village panchayat in the joint Karimnagar district, development work was done to the extent of Rs.22 lakh. While Sarpanchi’s husband has been carrying out these development works, he is seriously worried about the non-arrival of bills for nine months.

In a minor panchayat in the joint Nalgonda district, construction work was done up to Rs.7 lakhs. Sarpanchi took a loan in his wife’s name and did these things. Now unable to pay interest on these, they migrated to the city.

Bill panchayats are running in almost majority of the panchayats across the state. In many Gram Panchayats, bills ranging from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.20 lakh are pending up to Rs.282 crores. Due to the lack of income of the panchayats, the sarpanches took loans for investments in many places. When the works were completed, the bills did not arrive and the situation of the representatives became miserable. The seriousness of the situation is reflected in the fact that about 40 people have attempted suicide so far claiming that the bills have not been received.

Works.. even works…

The state government has taken up development works in large number of villages through the rural development programme. Along with this, National Employment Guarantee has been expanded. Roads, sewers, farmers’ platforms, sports grounds, nature parks, dump yards and Vaikunthadhamas were constructed. The panchayats are receiving funds from the state government as well as the 15th finance commission from the central government. The work is being done through the funds of the National Employment Guarantee Scheme and the General Fund in Gram Panchayats. Panchayats do not have much other source of income except house taxes. Sales, industries and real estate business are generating additional income. Salaries, electricity charges, diesel, conservation of water resources are facing serious problems. Recently the state government has bought and given tractor trolleys. Panchayats have to pay monthly installments for them.

Pledge of assets.. Sales

The central and state governments are directly depositing funds in the panchayats’ accounts. Based on that they are making a work plan. These funds can be obtained only after the works are completed and the calculations related to them are recorded. Investments are required to carry out the work. Majority of those who came forward and carried out development work in the respective villages were sarpanchs, sub-sarpanchs and ward members. Those who have won the elections with a tough competition are preparing to do their own work for their honor and prestige and to be seen by the people. Organized in the name of the family. Many sarpanchs have no financial means so they take loans for investments. Some are pledging their properties. Others are selling houses, lands and plots. The process of submitting bills is going on for a month to two months. After that, the government has to wait more than three to six months for the approval of the bills from the finance department. Funds are being deposited in the accounts of panchayats every month but there are no favorable conditions to release them for works. Interest burden is increasing. A major panchayat sarpanchi in Nizamabad district has borrowed Rs.29 lakhs and is paying Rs.1 lakh as interest every month. A sarpanchi in Adilabad district got a loan of Rs.10 lakh and did the work. Unable to pay them, they are paying interest of Rs.200 per day by rearing sheep. Many people are doing caste jobs. Some migrate to towns and cities and do work. One lakh is being paid as interest. A sarpanchi in Adilabad district got a loan of Rs.10 lakh and did the work. Unable to pay them, they are paying interest of Rs.200 per day by rearing sheep. Many people are doing caste jobs. Some migrate to towns and cities and do work. One lakh is being paid as interest. A sarpanchi in Adilabad district got a loan of Rs.10 lakh and did the work. Unable to pay them, they are paying interest of Rs.200 per day by rearing sheep. Many people are doing caste jobs. Some migrate to towns and cities and do work.

From next financial year…

As the problem of pending bills worsened, the government changed the method from the next financial year. It has been stated that the funds transferred to the accounts of the local bodies, rural, urban development and financial society can be used directly by the public representatives without going around the treasuries after completing the work. But the public representatives are worried about when the current bills will come.

Neglect of Central and State Governments
Salts Anjaniprasad, Honorary President of State Serpanch Association

The Central and State Governments are showing neglect towards the Panchayats. They are showing the funds in numbers and not releasing them. Officials are playing the role of spectators. This trend should change soon. Bills should be released on war footing.

Releasing from time to time
– Sandeep Sultania, Principal Secretary, Panchayat Raj Department

Panchayats in the state do not have much of a funding problem. Government is releasing funds to them every month. Bills are scrutinized after they are submitted. This should not be delayed.