TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PORVORIM: Handling the affairs of 33 panchayats in Bardez taluka is no mean task, and to add to its woes, the Mapusa Block Development office functioning is further crippled by limited infrastructure and staff shortage.
The office has two Block Development Officers, two extension officers, four junior engineers and one technical assistant, while in the administrative section, there is one head clerk and one lower division clerk. Further, there are neither computers nor vehicles for the officers.
To make matters worse, one of the Block Development Officers has been given additional charge of Pernem taluka covering 20 panchayats in addition to election duty of Calangute constituency. Second, the BDO has been assigned the election duty of the Aldona constituency.
Since this Block Development Officers are overburdened with work, they are unable to discharge their duties to the satisfaction of the people. The staff in the administrative section is also unable to cope with the workload and due to poor infrastructure, the work of the Block Development Office has been affected badly.
A resident of Penha de France, who visited the Block Development Office for some work, complained saying, “I am fed up of coming to this office. This is one of the most of the important departments of the government and since it is understaffed, the work of the people suffers.
The villagers from distant places visit the office for important work and are disappointed when either the BDO is not in the office or the administrative staff is on leave,” said the resident.
“It is high time that the panchayat minister looks into this matter seriously and employs more administrative staff and permanent Block Development Officers to redress the grievances of the people,” added the resident.
When contacted, Directorate of Panchayat Narayan Sawant admitted that there is shortage of staff at Block Development Office Mapusa. “The recruitment process has started and one LDC and UDC at the BDO office will be recruited,” informed Sawant.
“Presently, the Upper Division Clerk from Pernem has been given additional responsibility of Mapusa BDO and he attends Mapusa BDO thrice a week and during the other two days he is at Pernem. Steps are also being taken to upgrade the infrastructure at Mapusa BDO,” said Sawant.
