Khattar: Zila Parishads to have independent CEOS

PANCHKULA: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal on Thursday made several announcements to strengthen the democratic system at the grassroot level in the state by decentralisation of powers to the panchayati raj institutions (PRIS) and local bodies, and ensure their active participation in the development process.

He was presiding over the first meeting of inter-district council held in Panchkula.

It was announced that every zila parishad will now have an independent chief executive officer (CEO) to work exclusively for the parishad. Earlier, DCS, additional DCS or SDMS used to have additional charge of CEOS of zila parishads. He also announced that ADC and CEO of a zila parishad will not be a single officer, and appointed separately.

Similarly, the state government is also considering appointing a single officer to coordinate with all urban local units in the district.

Speaking on the event, Haryana finance minister Capt Abhimanyu urged the representatives of PRIS to focus on three Fs — Function, Functionaries and Funds — and prepare an atmosphere of cooperation and competition.

Agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister OP Dhankar said the Haryana government did not only provide the state educated panchayats, but also made them more capable and efficient by ensuring their participation in the government.

Urban local bodies minister Kavita Jain said more than hundred citizen-centric services were being provided to the people in all urban local bodies in the state.