Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 5: Someshwar gram panchayat was the biggest gram panchayat in the state before it was upgraded as municipality nearly 18 months ago. Even though the municipality has 97 permanent positions of staff, the existing staff strength is a meagre two.

Someshwar gram panchayat had 20 wards and 62 members before it was turned into a municipality. The villagers felt that this gram panchayat should have been promoted into town panchayat. About two years back, the government, instead of converting the gram panchayat into town panchayat, converted it into municipality. The process was completed one and half years ago and the then municipal commissioner of Ullal municipality had taken over as the chief officer of Someshwar municipality. Thereafter, the exercise of ward division was taken up. Now the municipality has 23 wards. In the election yet to be held, 23 municipal councillors will take over the administration of the municipality for the first time.

After the upgradation of the municipality, the government has identified the need to have 97 staff including officers. But now, permanent staff working there are only two, the chief officer and manager. Ten staff and six civic workers also are involved but they have been taken on a direct recruitment basis. Five employees of the gram panchayat have been retained. A recommendation to retain them has been sent to the government.

The government has sought a plan for the new municipal building but it could not be done as the government has not appointed any engineer.

Posts of environment engineer, community organiser, community organising officer, revenue inspector, two posts of junior engineer, senior health officer, two posts of health inspector, and two posts of first grade assistant are lying vacant. The post of the bill collector remains vacant. Out of 35 civic workers, only six are available. A junior engineer and health inspector are being deputed twice a week from Ullal municipality.

The existing staff are serving the people well and there are no complaints. The municipality has computerised most of its work and has implemented various schemes. MLA U T Khader, says that he has taken up the issue of shortage of staff. He promised to raise the issue in the session if the problem persists.

Chief officer of the municipality, Vani V Alva, says that shortage of staff is a major problem of the municipality and once officials are appointed, many problems will be addressed.