Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 11: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje has informed that the state cabinet has on Thursday July 10, decided to appoint development officers for all the gram panchayats (GPs) in the state, for the smooth and efficient implementation of rural development projects and programmes.

The GPs, some of which have annual budget of over a crore of rupees, are apparently not managing the finances well. The development officers so recruited, will help in augmenting revenue and putting budgetary allocations to proper use, she stated.

Even though all the graduates can apply for these posts, the government prefers diploma holders and engineering graduates to hold these posts. Eligible candidates from the department will also be absorbed to these posts through promotions. There are 5,628 gram panchayats in the state. In addition, 2,500 accounts assistants will be appointed for maintaining accounts at the gram panchyats, she revealed.

The government has decided to set up a cabinet sub-committee to decide over the matter of regularising the services of about 17,000 people working for the department on daily wage basis, Karandlaje said.  A committee formed for the purpose by the previous government did not submit any report. The present committee will prepare its report within two months, she said.