A week after the State Election Commission declared the dates for the four-phase panchayat elections in November-December, the State Government has decided to give more powers to them that include as important as regulating education and health services in villages.
Now Mukhiyas, Ward members and Pramukhs can inspect mid-day meals, grant casual leaves of teachers in schools and of doctors in dispensaries and manage their attendance registers.
"The Cabinet has taken another step in the way of strengthening the Panchayati Raj institutions in the State. In a gram panchayat, Mukhiya and ward members would be the members of the school management committees, review school performance and submit recommendation to District Superintendent of Education (DSE) through BDO. They would inspect the MDM at least once in a month," said Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey after Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Report of the schools within a gram panchayat would be tabled by the Mukhiya in its working committee. The Mukhiya would approve casual leaves (Cl) of the teachers and principals of primary and middle schools and a register would be maintained by every panchayat for this purpose.
"Similarly, community health centres would be supervised by Pramukhs at block level while Zila Parisad chairpersons would regulate the Sadar Hospitals at districts. Mukhiyas would ensure presence of the doctors assigned at rural health centres and sub-centres and send report to respective Civil Surgeon. Monthly salary of ANM and their leaves would be prepared based on his report," added the Secretary. Pramukhs at block levels and Zila Parisad chairman at districts would oversee health facilities that also include leaves of the Civil Surgeon.
The Rural Development Department has also delegated power to the rural local bodies for approval of schemes up to Rs 10 lakh. "Self off schemes below Rs 10 lakh under MGNREGA would be granted by the BDO but it has to be approved by the panchayat samiti in its next meeting. The steps undertaken are to strengthen the local governance system and another step in the direction of de-centralisation of power," added Pandey.
The Cabinet also approved substantial changes in the land allotment system for industrial units falling under the four industrial area development authorities of the State.
"Plots at industrial areas at Adityapur, Bokaro, Ranchi and Santhal Pargana would now be regulated under Industrial Area Development Authority Regulation-2015. Under this, plots would only be allotted after actual assessment of requirement and after the proposed project is approved by the committee set for this. land allotment can only be done online and in case of more than one claimant, the highest bidder would get it," said the Secretary.
Against the central share of Rs 16.20 crore under Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Empowerment scheme for 2014-15 the State has okayed to release Rs 5.40 crore as its share as advance for 2015-16.