Hyderabad: Newly elected sarpanches, who recently celebrated their electoral victories, are now gearing up to take on their official responsibilities. District officials have begun conducting training programmes to familiarize them with their roles, including key schemes such as the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). Under this scheme, families contribute ₹500 annually to receive an insurance benefit of ₹20,000 in the event of the death of the family head.
The training also emphasizes critical local governance responsibilities, such as ensuring villages have adequate water supply and are not affected by scarcity.
In Bhadradri Kothagudem, the newly elected sarpanches attended sessions at the Dr. Manmohan Singh Institute of Science and Technology (KSM old campus) to prepare for effective administration of their panchayats.
The training programme for all 471 gram panchayat sarpanches in Bhadradri Kothagudem district is being conducted in phases. The first phase, held from January 19 to 23, includes 237 newly elected sarpanches from 14 mandals, while the second phase is scheduled from February 3 to 7.
The initiative aims to provide sarpanches with a comprehensive understanding of village governance, including administrative procedures, the Panchayat Raj Act, their responsibilities, and the implementation of rural development programmes.
Collector Jitesh V. Patil advised the sarpanches to prioritize basic amenities such as drinking water, sanitation, roads, electricity, and healthcare. He emphasized the importance of advance planning to prevent water scarcity and to ensure efficient use of funds for infrastructure projects like roads, streetlights, power poles, and public toilets.
The collector also highlighted that, despite the district’s many scenic tourist destinations, several areas remain underdeveloped due to limited publicity. He urged sarpanches to promote local tourist spots, natural resources, and unique village features, which could enhance tourism and strengthen the rural economy.
