Rural secretariat to give fillip to administration

Rural secretariat to give fillip to administration
PRAFULLA MARPAKWAR

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 5: In a move to expedite decision making process and also strengthen the administration at the grass root level, the Congress-led Democratic Front government has introduced `Gram Sachivilaya Yojana' (Rural Secretariat Scheme).

The Rural Development Department found that since the offices of the revenue, agriculture, irrigation and cooperation department as well as the Maharashtra State Electricity Board are spread over, the villagers have to run from pillar to post to settle even some minor disputes.

``We felt there will be some relief to the villagers if these offices are located in one premises. Simultaneously, there is also a proposal to set up one window system for group of villages within a radius of two to three kms,'' a senior official said.

In view of the massive response to the Democracy Day scheme launched by the revenue department for the collectorates, it was felt that a similar scheme should be started for the villagers so that they are not harassed for one or the otherreason.

``The RDD has proposed construction of one village secretariat for four to five villages. Either the existing buildings of Samaj Mandirs or panchayat office will be extended for the purpose or new buildings will be constructed. The funds for the purpose will be raised by commercial use of the land on which the buildings will be constructed,'' the official added.

In addition, MPs as well as legislators will be requested to contribute for the construction of village secretariats. ``We expect that legislators will contribute Rs five lakh and while equal contribution is expected from MPs too,'' he added. While selection of premises, resource mobilisation, construction and subsequent supervision will be the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer, the Collector has been entrusted with the task of shifting the offices to the new premises as well as coordination with all government agencies.

As per the action plan , at least one village secretariat will be set up in each tehsil within a month,for the remaining secretariats, a time-bound action plan has been drafted.

The village secretariat will be responsible for issuance of documents related with land records, certificates of income, landless labour, proof of residence, claims of natural calamity, Sanjay Gandhi scheme for destitute, shops under the public distribution system, application forms for ration cards, electoral register, employment guarantee scheme, rehabilitation of project-affected persons and information on acquired lands.

The RDD will issue certificates of death and birth, registration of marriage, building permission, no objection certificates and below poverty line certificates.