Khammam District Collector Anudeep Durishetty has called upon newly elected Sarpanches to work with dedication to transform their villages into “model villages.” Speaking at the conclusion of a five-day training program held at the DPRC Center in Khammam, the Collector emphasized that Sarpanches hold a massive responsibility for the next five years. He noted that the quality of a village administration can be judged simply by its sanitation and cleanliness, urging Sarpanches, ward members, and Panchayat Secretaries to work as a team.
Key Focus Areas for Village Development
The Collector highlighted several priorities for the local leaders:
- Daily Sanitation: Sarpanches must personally monitor daily garbage collection and drain cleaning.
- Greenery: High priority must be given to planting trees and maintaining local plantations.
- Financial Discipline: Revenue collection is crucial. The Collector instructed Sarpanches to ensure 100% tax collection, clear old arrears, and strictly discourage tax evasion.
- Regular Meetings: Panchayat board meetings should be held regularly, and all decisions must be officially recorded.
Budget and Fund Allocation
Collector Durishetty shared that ₹33 crores from the Finance Commission have been released to the district’s Panchayats. He provided a specific breakdown for spending:
- ₹20 Crores (Tied Grants): To be used for staff salaries, electricity bills, and sanitation maintenance.
- ₹13 Crores: To be used for general village development works.
He advised the leaders to prepare a Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) to prevent the waste of funds. He clarified that “development” is not just about building roads and drains, but also about improving hygiene, greenery, and the effective implementation of government schemes.
A Call for Unity
The Collector urged the Sarpanches to leave politics behind once the elections are over. He stated that real progress is only possible when leaders work for all sections of society without bias. By mastering the administration of the Panchayat and coordinating with higher officials to solve local issues, he expressed hope that Khammam’s villages would soon win National Awards for excellence. He concluded the session by congratulating the new Sarpanches and wishing them a successful tenure.
Deputy Editor, Prime Post
Anand Gantela is a seasoned media professional with nearly three decades of experience across the spectrum of Indian journalism. Having worked extensively in both print and broadcast media, he has held key positions at renowned outlets such as Prajashakthi, Andhra Bhoomi, Mudra, Media India, Siti Cable, Mana Telugu, and Maa TV. From ground-level reporting to managing news bureaus and overseeing bulletin production, Anand has witnessed the evolution of news firsthand. His wealth of experience reflects a deep understanding of the dynamic and ever- evolving landscape of news reporting.
