The Sarpanches are furious over the government orders on taking major share in the 13th Finance Commission (TFC) funds towards clearance of electricity and water dues.
According to sources, Rs.21 crore was released by the TFC for as many as 1,077 panchayats in the district. The State government in an order issued on March 14, 2015, directed the District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) ‘to ensure 80 per cent of the grants released to be utilised for clearance of electricity and water dues besides, utilising the balance grant as per the guidelines.’
The sources claimed that the TFC funds were expected to be used for maintenance of CPWS schemes and PWS schemes, sanitation, internal roads, street lighting, solid waste management, maintenance of gram panchayat building, e-panchayat and sanitation in schools/anganwadis.
However, as the arrears of power bills reached to abnormal amounts, Anit Ramachandran, Director, Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment, issued these orders directing the DPOs to collect the amount and pay for power bills.
In panchayats, power is being used for three purposes – power consumption for gram panchayat, water supply and street lighting. However, many panahcyats were not having sufficient funds to meet the power bill payment, hence arrears had piled for the past few years.
“The government has issued orders adjusting about 80 per cent of TFC funds towards power bills. How is it possible to meet other expenditures? Where should we go?” asked Andol Krishna, president, Srapanachala Ikya Vedika, Telangana
He also asked the rationality in taking 80 per cent of the amount at one stroke stating that the amount may be adjusted in phased manner from the funds. Even Sarpanches Forum of Kondapur also condemned the government decision.
However, the District Panchayat Officer (DPO) Suresh defended the government decision stating that maintenance means paying the bills as well. “This is nothing but seeing that the panchayat office, water supply and streetlights function properly. There are many panahcyats not having sufficient funds to meet these bills. Hence, this decision was taken,” he told The Hindu .
