BDO withdraws order suspending development work

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, June 28: In 18 Panchayats located in the Railway areas of Bagbera, Parsudih and Govindpur, BDO Sudha Verma rescinded order regarding the suspension of development work. In a recently issued order, the BDO stated that the office’s prior directive, referenced under 1192 dated June 22, was annulled with immediate effect in light of the office’s letter 1205 dated June 25. A copy of this order had been sent by the BDO to the Assistant Engineer, all Junior Engineers and Panchayat Secretaries of Jamshedpur Block for information and necessary action. A copy of the previous order dated June 22 was attached to the new directive.

BDO Sudha Verma held a meeting at the Block headquarters with Panchayat representatives (chiefs and members), the Block head, Deputy Head, Station OCs of various Police stations, Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers and Panchayat Secretaries. The meeting aimed at discussing the development works in the settlements within the railway areas of the block. BDO Verma sought suggestions from the Panchayat Representatives. She advised them to present their concerns to the Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, who could make appropriate decisions regarding development works. Some Panchayat Representatives agreed with this approach, while others questioned why recommendations from MPs and MLAs could be implemented in railway areas but not those funded by Panchayat Representatives. They demanded that the railway area be demarcated through correspondence with the railway authorities. The BDO did not respond to this demand. However, she instructed the Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers and Panchayat Secretaries to conduct thorough investigations to select schemes and prepare measurement books accordingly.

The Purvi Singhbhum Zila Mukhiya Sangh submitted a demand letter to Nisha Oran, Director of the Panchayati Raj Department, in Ranchi. The letter informed her about BDO Sudha Verma’s order halting development works in railway area settlements. It also highlighted that since the implementation of the Panchayati Raj system previous BDOs in Jamshedpur Block coordinated with Panchayat Representatives unlike the current BDO, who was making unilateral decisions. Director Nisha Oran assured the representatives that the matter would be discussed in an upcoming review meeting of the Panchayati Raj Department and that they would be informed of the decision.

Neenu Kudada, the Chief of North-East Bagbera Panchayat, stated that she was unaware of the BDO’s order rescinding the halt on development works. However, she mentioned that the Mukhiyas of the 18 Panchayats would soon hold a meeting to decide on the matter. She also noted that the BDO had advised meeting with the Deputy Commissioner. Since most of the Mukhiyaswere attending MNREGA training in Ranchi, the meeting and discussion on this issue would take place after their return.