Hyderabad: The state government has initiated action against gram panchayats surrounding Hyderabad for permitting illegal buildlings. While gram panchayats have the power to give building permissions only up to G+2 floors, the panchayats in Peerzadiguda, Boduppal and Medipally in Ghatkesar mandal permitted up to five to six floors on smaller plots posing danger to inmates in case of any fire or other mishaps.
The government on Wednesday issued orders initiating action against gram panchayats and officials of panchayat raj department, who colluded with gram panchayats to allow illegal buildings.The government has initiated disciplinary proceedings against E. Narsingh Rao, who worked as executive officer in the panchayati raj and rural development department, Ghatkesar mandal,
Medchal district, but had now retired. Action was also initiated against E. Chandra Prakash, then panchayat secretary of Boduppal gram panchayat and presently working at Kandlakoay gram panchayat, Medchal district. The other officials against whom action has been initiated against include G. Suresh Reddy, the then panchayat secretary of Peerzadiguda gram panchayat, presently working as manager at Peerzadiguda Municipality, Medchal district,; V. Upender Reddy, then panchayat secretary of Peerzadiguda gram panchayat, presently working at Girmapur gram panchayat.
The orders also listed for action P. Shoba Rani, then secretary of Medipally gram panchayat and presently at Bhogaram gram panchayat, Medchal district, A. Ramesh, then secretary, Boduppal gram panchayat, now working at Gollur gram panchayat, Ranga Reddy district.
The government directed the inquiry officer that the disciplinary action against all the officials should be taken in the common proceedings and inquiry officer is competent to impose any penalty against them.The district panchayat officer of Medchal district has been appointed inquiry officer to initiate disciplinary proceedings against errant officials.
The state government took a serious view of gram panchayats flouting norms and permitting multi-storied buildings on smaller plots, approving illegal lay outs. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao recently announced in the Legislative Assembly that the government will soon bring new Panchayat Raj Act to curb such practices and check gram panchayats from approving illegal buildings and layouts.
