Khammam: Any sarpanch used to consider visiting an officer or VIP to the gram panchayat a privilege. However, the gram panchayat sarpanches will regard it as a burden or a bane.
As per the guidelines of the panchayatraj department, mandal parishad development officer, mandal panchayat officer, division level panchayat officer, district panchayat officer, and special officers should visit certain panchayats every week according to their grade and rank. The aim of the norm is to see whether the schemes like swachh bharat, haritha haram, sanitation and others are going as per the norm or not.
VIP visit is not a problem for gram panchayats with more than 2000 people and surplus funds to cover the costs of official visits. These gram panchayats will have revenue from property tax and they used to have some surplus amount even though the state and central government delayed in sending funds under various schemes. The condition of the small gram panchayats is not like that.
For VIP visit, a banner should be erected. Then, scattering of bleaching and cleaning of bushes should be done. The courtesies like serving tea and biscuits to at least fifteen people and providing food to the officials should be done. Some of the officials used to expect petrol expenses for their cars. In the case of a collector or MLA or minister’s visit, the bank account of such gram panchayats reaches zero balance. Though the expenditure will be below Rs 5,000 as per the grade of VIP, it is a financial burden to tiny gram panchayats.
