Gondia ZP CEO issues directions on Gram Panchayat Officers' Union demands

Gondia, Nov 5: The Gondia district unit of the Maharashtra State Gram Panchayat Officers' Union had submitted a representation on several pending service and administrative issues. The administration has taken note of it. On the demand of union district president Kamlesh Bisen, an important meeting of the grievance redressal committee was held in the chamber of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Zilla Parishad Gondia. The administration held positive discussions on the union's pending demands and issued several directions.

Zilla Parishad CEO Jenith Chandra Dontula was present. Also attending were Deputy CEO (General Administration) Phanindra Kuttirkar, Deputy CEO (Panchayat) Madhukar Wasnik, District Health Officer Dr Abhijit Golhar, Accounts Officer Pandhare, Assistant Block Development Officer Vaidya, Section Officer Gunwant Thakur and Senior Assistant Pankaj Patel. Union office-bearers were also present.

On gram panchayat officers working on contract, it was directed that orders for continuity of service be issued immediately and that their salaries be paid regularly and on time.

On the seniority list, it was decided that the list of gram panchayat officers recruited in 2004 be checked and corrected along the lines of the revised 2005 list. The files of the employees concerned were also to be submitted for detailed scrutiny.

On promotion for persons with disabilities, it was decided to seek guidance from the competent authority on the eligibility of the locomotor and chronic neurological condition categories. Until guidance is received, the promotion to one post reserved for the disabled category in the Extension Officer (Panchayat) cadre is to be held back.

The meeting was also clear on TDS deduction. The gram panchayat is a "TDS deductor", so TDS should not be deducted at Zilla Parishad level from construction bills, and the full bill should be paid to the gram panchayat. As per rules, the gram panchayat will take further action on TDS deduction.

On designation, it was pointed out that the posts of Gramsevak and Gram Vikas Adhikari have been merged into a single post called "Gram Panchayat Officer". Directions were given to issue a circular making this the official designation in all government circulars, orders and correspondence.

Officials were also asked to take the necessary action on time-bound promotion, pending bills and honorarium for additional charge. There was also positive discussion on giving employees the necessary training in online work, e-tendering and implementation of government schemes.

The Zilla Parishad administration's positive stance on issues pending for years has created a mood of satisfaction in the gram panchayat officers' cadre. District president Kamlesh Bisen expressed hope that the decisions would actually be implemented and that all issues would be resolved within a fixed time limit.

District union office-bearers present included Kamlesh Bisen (president), Kuldeep Kapgate (general secretary), Sachin Kuthe, Bharti Waghmare (vice-president), Shailesh Parihar (treasurer), Yogesh Rudrakar (joint secretary), Yograj Bisen, Rajni Sahare (state councillor), Rameshwar Jamaiwar (publicity head), Ritesh Sahare, Suresh Waghmare, Tikaram Janbandhu (district organiser), Pradeep Thakre, Kishor Achle (legal adviser), Narendra Gomashe and Namrata Rangari (district convener). Taluka presidents Omendrakumar Rahangdale, Pandurang Harinkhede, Sandeep Mendhe, Pawankumar Pawar, Taresh Kubde, Shivaji Rathod, Yogendra Katre and Shailesh Parihar also attended. Taluka secretaries Deepakkumar Revatkar, Arvind Sakhare, Omeshwar Kapgate, Totaram Nimje, Ravindra Ambade, Rajesh Ramteke, Sarita Brahmavanshi, Sumedh Bansod, Kunal Meshram and Kunal Rahangdale, among other office-bearers, were present as well.