Hyderabad.16.09.2024: As the term of the sarpanches in the Bommalaramaram area of Telangana ended, the administrative duties were handed over to government officials. Panchayat secretaries are now managing operations under their supervision, but they face a severe shortage of funds. Before the officials took charge, the accounts of all the panchayats were already empty. Neither the central nor the Telangana state government has provided funds, leading to ongoing challenges under direct rule.
Bommalaramaram mandal has 34 gram panchayats, all of which have been under the control of individual officers since February. With no funds available, panchayat secretaries are being forced to cover essential expenses out of their own pockets. One secretary reportedly borrowed lakhs to keep things running. The secretaries are now deeply worried about how they will recover the money, especially with the possibility of transfers looming.
Three Accounts, All Empty
Each Gram Panchayat in Telangana operates three different accounts. The first account is for property tax collection, but this fund is often empty because the expenses are four times higher than the tax revenue. The second account is linked to the state treasury, allowing funds to be drawn by the panchayats. The third account is meant to hold funds from the 15th Finance Commission, which are directly deposited by the central government every two months. However, no funds have been released for months, leaving panchayats struggling financially.
Since direct rule began, there has been no money to carry out any of the government’s programs, and panchayat secretaries have been forced to pay for them out of their own pockets. Many checks are not being processed by banks, adding to the secretaries’ stress. Secretaries across both large and small panchayats in Telangana report spending over one lakh rupees each, with no relief in sight.
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