Fresh from their election victories, sarpanches across Hyderabad districts are now rolling up their sleeves for serious work. District officials have launched comprehensive training programs to equip these new leaders with the knowledge and skills needed for effective village governance.
Training Kicks Off in Bhadradri Kothagudem
The first phase of training is currently underway at the Dr Manmohan Singh Institute of Science and Technology in Bhadradri Kothagudem. This initial session runs from January 19 to January 23, with a second phase scheduled for February 3 to February 7.
During this period, 237 newly elected sarpanches from 14 mandals are participating actively. The district plans to train all 471 gram panchayat sarpanches in phases, ensuring every leader receives proper guidance.
Key Responsibilities Outlined
The training program covers a wide range of essential topics. Sarpanches are learning about village governance structures, administrative procedures, and the Panchayat Raj Act. They are also getting detailed briefings on their specific duties and the implementation of various rural development schemes.
One important scheme highlighted is the National Family Benefit Scheme. Under NFBS, families pay an annual premium of 500 rupees to receive an insurance benefit of 20,000 rupees in case of the family head's death. Sarpanches must ensure proper awareness and implementation of this scheme in their villages.
Collector's Directives for Development
Bhadradri Kothagudem collector Jitesh V Patil addressed the participating sarpanches with clear priorities. He emphasized the need to focus on basic amenities that directly impact villagers' daily lives.
Drinking water, sanitation, roads, electricity, and healthcare should receive immediate attention according to the collector. He specifically advised making advance plans to prevent water scarcity during summer months.
The collector also stressed effective utilization of funds for infrastructure projects. This includes proper construction and maintenance of roads, installation of streetlights and power poles, and building adequate public toilet facilities.
Tourism Promotion as Economic Driver
An interesting aspect of the training involves tourism development. Collector Patil noted that despite having several scenic tourist destinations, many areas in the district remain underdeveloped due to insufficient publicity.
He urged sarpanches to actively promote local tourist spots, natural resources, and unique features of their villages. Such promotion could significantly boost tourism, creating employment opportunities and strengthening the rural economy.
Statewide Training Initiative
This training initiative began earlier in Adilabad district and will continue across various districts until February 27. The programs are being conducted in different phases to accommodate all newly elected representatives.
In Nirmal district, similar training sessions introduced sarpanches to their responsibilities under the Panchayat Raj Act. Officials there emphasized the importance of remaining accessible to the public, ensuring local issues get addressed promptly and effectively.
The comprehensive training approach reflects a serious commitment to empowering local governance. By equipping sarpanches with proper knowledge and clear guidelines, authorities hope to accelerate rural development across Hyderabad's districts.
