Dr. C. Narayana Swamy, Chairman of the 5th State Finance Commission, has said that the resources available within the local body should be properly utilized to strengthen rural and urban local bodies.
He was speaking at a meeting of elected representatives and officers held recently at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Madikeri regarding the institutional structure, functioning, financial condition, infrastructure and technical skills in providing services and other studies of rural and urban local bodies.
He suggested that rural and urban local bodies should consolidate the available resources and provide necessary services.
Local resources should be consolidated and move towards development. Strengthening local bodies is very important, and in this regard, emphasis should be placed on income tax collection, basic amenities, drinking water, electricity supply, as well as self-employment, as well as programs should be formulated to complement development activities in rural development and urban areas, said Narayana Swamy.
There are many responsibilities related to development within the jurisdiction of local bodies, he said, and more attention should be given to that regard.
State 5th Finance Commission members R.S. Ponde, Mohammed Sanaullah, Kempegowda, K. Yalakkigowda, Suprasanna speaking on the occasion said that relevant information should be provided regarding the functioning of rural and urban local bodies, financial status, resource mobilization and allocation. Everyone should come forward to further strengthen local bodies. Only then, he opined, can development be achieved.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja speaking on the occasion said that permanent staff should be appointed for the proper management of income tax in local body jurisdictions, including income tax collection and this will increase the responsibility, DC suggested.
Z.P. CEO Anand Prakash Meena said that more than 50% of the posts are vacant in the local body area, and these should be filled. In addition, more funds should be released and CEO also said that additional staff should be deployed locally.
Z.P. Chief Accountant Jeeval Kan said that out of 108 posts sanctioned in Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, 12 have been filled and 97 posts are vacant.
In Madikeri taluk related to the T.P., one post has been filled out of 23 posts sanctioned. The remaining 22 posts are vacant, he informed.
In Somwarpet taluk, 4 posts have been filled out of 23 posts, and 19 posts remain vacant. In Kushalnagar taluk, 12 posts are vacant out of 12 posts sanctioned. In Virajpet taluk, 3 posts out of 26 sanctioned posts have been filled and 23 posts are vacant. In Ponnampet taluk, 12 posts out of 12 sanctioned posts are vacant. He informed that out of a total of 96 posts, 8 posts have been filled and 88 posts are vacant.
He gave information regarding the unrestricted grant of the State Finance Commission, Zilla Panchayat Link Document grant, Taluk Panchayat State Finance Commission unrestricted grant, Taluk Panchayat Link Document grant of all departments.
‘Administrative reforms and information technology initiatives include Panchatantra 2.0, e-Asset, 15th Finance, NREGA, Housing, Swachh Bharat Mission, e-Office, IPGRS, etc.,’ Jeeval Khan said.
Basappa, Project Director of the Urban Development Planning Branch, spoke and said that permanent employees should be appointed. Data operators are leaving work halfway, and local permanent staff should be assigned. Salaries should be increased, he said.
A Gram Panchayat representative spoke and opined that if more funds are released, Gram Panchayats and local bodies can be strengthened.
Madikeri Municipal Council President Kalavati, Vice President Mahesh Jaini, representatives of various local bodies, Municipal Commissioners, Municipal and Town Panchayat Chief Officers, Presidents of various Gram Panchayats and others were present on the occasion.
