Karnal village ‘cabinet’ takes charge to solve problems

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, September 18

Uncha Samana panchayat in the district has set an example in decentralisation of power by constituting a “cabinet” to run the village.

Nishant Rana (28), one of the youngest sarpanches in the district, has delegated power to panches for monitoring development works.

“With this, villagers need not approach the sarpanch for all their works; panches will do the job instead,” said Sanjay, a village resident.

Rana, a graduate from Delhi University, has kept finance, public grievances, agriculture, health, animal husbandry and law portfolios with him.

Kavita and Surinder Kumar have been assigned with purchase of material — be it for roads or schools.

Suman and Baljinder Singh will look after sanitation and hygiene of the village, while Rahul and Nisha will be responsible for the supply of water.

The administration of the Pakka Pul Peer Baba that generates an annual income of around Rs2.5 crore to the panchayat has been given to Baljinder Singh and Sanjeet.

Pakka Pul Peer Baba is on the outskirts of Uncha Samana.

Vikram Singh has been assigned school development, while Surinder and Vicky have been tasked with maintenance of streetlights.

“All panches will be accountable for the functioning of their departments. The aim is to ensure good governance and speedy development,” Rana said. Next on his priority is to make the village open defecation-free and uninterrupted electricity supply.

“The panchayat has started installing CCTV cameras in the village. In all, 10 cameras have been installed at Pakka Pul Peer Baba, while 32 cameras will be installed in the village,” the sarpanch said.

“Soon, free Wi-Fi will be available to villagers. The panchayat is in talks with two companies for this,” the sarpanch said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Priyanka Soni said, “The effort is commendable. Other sarpanches should take a similar step so that development in villages gains pace.”