Govt warns pradhans, panchayat officials

ALLAHABAD : The state government has issued instructions to gram pradhans and gram panchayat secretaries against deaths due to starvation, malnutrition and suicides due to outstanding debts warning of strict action in case such incidents were reported in their areas.

The district magistrates have also been instructed to ensure participation of gram pradhans and gram panchayats in the mission to prevent such incidents and ensure visits of district officials to villages for compliance.

Gram pradhans have also been permitted to keep ₹5000 instead of ₹1000 with them as emergency fund to help people in trouble, informed a senior district official.

A missive marked ‘Important’ dated January 2 has been sent by additional chief secretary, UP Chanchal Kumar Tiwari to director, Panchayati Raj, UP and all DMs with copies marked to divisional commissioners instructing immediate action.

The missive reminds officials that freedom from starvation and hunger as well as right to life was among the top priorities of the state government and any incident of suicide or attempted suicides and deaths owing to hunger, starvation, malnutrition or debts needed to be prevented at all costs.

While stressing on the need to extend help to such individuals, the missive also makes plain that in case of any such incident, strict action would be initiated against gram pradhan, block development officer concerned, sub divisional magistrate and the district magistrate.

Post 73rd constitutional amendment, gram pachayats of the country had been strengthened and they have been given adequate powers.

The gram pradhan, gram pachayat secretary attend gram sabha meetings and select beneficiaries of different welfare schemes including village development, social welfare, food and civil supplies, women welfare and child development, the letter points out.

The government has also ordered gram pradhans to extend immediate help to individuals and families facing hunger or malnutrition.