The shortage of clerical staff and engineers has started hitting the project implementation of various three-tier panchayats in the district. Though some of the panchayats are managing the affairs with the staff allotted to them on deputation, many of the local bodies are finding it hard to run the show.
Implementation of various developmental works is proving to be the biggest challenge as some of the grama panchayats are currently utilising the service of a single engineer to conduct the review works and other formalities related to the approval of various plans. There are even local body heads in the district, who make use of the service of a single engineer to manage the construction supervision in four panchayats.
T. Suresh, president of Arikkulam grama panchayat, says the situation has been very troubling owing to the shortage of clerical staff and engineers.
“In our case, two panchayats are sharing the service of a single engineer to monitor various construction works,” he adds.
Panchayat authorities point out that the shortage of staff comes as a big obstacle when a number of projects sanctioned by the local MLAs get into the implementation phase. A single engineer will not be sufficient to meet the actual requirement and to complete the works on time, they add.
Chelannur block panchayat president P. Aboobacker says they have been managing the affairs for long with the staff appointed on deputation. “Actually there are a few vacancies, but, we did not face much trouble with the deputation of officials to the important posts,” he adds. There are only a few grama panchayats, which are currently having the full strength of clerical staff and engineers, enabling them to complete the works on time. Of the 78 grama panchayats, Kunnamangalam is one such panchayat.
“For this fiscal, we have the highest State and Central allocation for carrying out the annual projects in the district and the staff strength here will play a very crucial role,” says panchayat president M.P. Asokan. He adds that the panchayat is planning to carry out the works of around Rs.18 crore during this fiscal.
Only a few panchayats have full staff strength
Implementation of developmental works now a big challenge
