CUTTACK : Even as the Centre and the state government are focusing on strengthening the three-tier panchayati raj system in the country, large-scale vacancies of panchayat executive officers (PEOs) have hit implementation of development and welfare activities in rural areas of Cuttack district.
As per reports, there are 373 gram panchayats (GPs) in 14 blocks of the district. At present, only 169 PEOs are managing the 373 GPs with at least 204 posts lying vacant. Owing to the vacancies, some PEOs are in charge of two to three panchayats. In Nischintakoili block, only 19 PEOs are managing 41 gram panchayats.
District gram panchayat officer Chakradhar Mahali said he has already brought the matter to the notice of the state government for filling up the vacant PEO posts.
As per the three-tier structure of the panchayati raj system, while sarpanch is the official head of a gram panchayat, the PEO works as the secretary of the panchayat through whom official work is executed.
“Since a PEO has to remain in-charge of two to three panchayats, we are unable to disburse financial assistance instantly under Harishandra Yojana for cremation of bodies of the deceased. With no other option, we are paying the bereaved families from our pockets and later reimbursing the same when the PEOs come to the panchayat office,” said a few sarpanchs.