The Telangana government is reportedly proceeding cautiously on the creation of new Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the State. Although District Collectors have proposed the formation of 200 new GPs, the government appears hesitant to act swiftly, citing administrative and political considerations, especially with local body elections approaching.
Sources said the government, led by A. Revanth Reddy, initially decided to create 68 new GPs to fulfil a promise made during the election campaign. While the government was yet to finalise the modalities for creating the GPs, several Congress leaders, including MLAs and Ministers, came up with more proposals, increasing the number to 200.
Subsequently, 200 proposals endorsed by the district in-charge ministers reached the State headquarters of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development office. Since the population in many hamlets proposed to be upgraded as GPs is less than 400, the government has reportedly decided to take a call only after a thorough study, said a senior official.
Sources, however, said the government is also weighing the financial burden of creating new GPs. “Appointment of staff at the new GPs could become a challenging task for the government,” the officer added. However, the population size is said to be not a mandatory requirement for creating a new GP. Many habitations in the Agency areas are reportedly facing administrative problems due to their distance from parent panchayats.
It is said that the government is already facing problems concerning bill payments to contractors who executed works in the GPs, and also salaries to contract and outsourcing employees in the GPs. Keeping these factors in view, the government has reportedly decided to arrive at a decision only after a proper study.
If the new 200 GPs are created, the number of GPs would cross 13,000 in Telangana. Sources say that the government is also considering delaying the local body elections, considering political reasons.
