Sri Vijaya Puram, May 25: Mr. Venkateswar Rao, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Shivapuram, has submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration highlighting the severe shortage of Panchayat Secretaries in Rangat Block under North & Middle Andaman District.
In the representation, the Pradhan stated that Rangat Block consists of 14 Gram Panchayats. Earlier, 12 Panchayat Secretaries were posted in the block; however, due to transfers and reduction in staff strength, only 8 Panchayat Secretaries are presently available to manage all 14 Panchayats.
He pointed out that the shortage has created an administrative crisis at the grassroots level, as one Panchayat Secretary is now handling multiple Panchayats simultaneously. According to the letter, the situation is seriously affecting Panchayat administration, rural development activities, public grievance redressal, implementation of government schemes, maintenance of Panchayat accounts, submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs), and Solid Waste Management activities.
The Pradhan further mentioned that North & Middle Andaman is geographically a vast rural region where Panchayats are managing several developmental schemes and Solid Waste Management clusters. Due to inadequate manpower, smooth functioning of Panchayat offices has become extremely difficult.
Highlighting the objectives of the Panchayati Raj system, Mr. Rao stated that the present shortage of staff has weakened grassroots governance and adversely affected public service delivery in rural areas.
Through the representation, he requested the Administration to immediately fill up vacant posts of Panchayat Secretaries, ensure adequate posting of staff in Rangat Block, and strengthen Panchayat administration in remote rural areas by providing sufficient manpower and administrative support.
Copies of the representation were also forwarded to the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Secretary (RD/Panchayat), Deputy Commissioner of North & Middle Andaman District, and Director (RD/Panchayat) for necessary intervention and action.
