Seethakka Calls for Planned Use of Gram Panchayat Funds

Panchayat raj and rural development minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka on Thursday emphasized the need for financial strengthening of gram panchayats and stated that planned governance and prudent use of funds are essential for sustainable rural development.

Addressing a training program for newly elected sarpanchs, sarpanchs and gram panchayat secretaries at Leela Garden in Mulugu, he said village representatives play a key role in the development of the people and should work with a clear understanding of governance, financial arrangements and development planning.

The program aimed to equip local body representatives with knowledge on gram panchayat laws, administrative procedures, village development planning, financial management, implementation of action plans and transparent management.

Seethakka said development works should be taken up as per annual action plans prepared through gram sabhas and called for greater public participation in implementation.

Referring to the upcoming 16th finance commission grants, he advised sarpans to be aware of the guidelines regarding use of funds, eligible works and expenditure norms, stating that lack of awareness has led to violations and administrative problems in some cases.

Separate rules apply to affiliated funds, non-affiliated funds, state finance commission grants and gram panchayats’ own income, he said, stressing that each category should be used only for its intended purpose. He also called for improving tax and fee collections to strengthen panchayat finances.

The minister asked panchayats to prioritize drinking water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting, afforestation, environmental protection, village roads, drainage and public health under the gram panchayat development plan.

The MLAs stressed that all grants should be utilized as per prescribed norms, adding that funds allocated through ministerial and other government schemes are subject to separate guidelines and should not be combined with gram panchayat funds.