SHILLONG: The state government is trying to get closer to people by way of creating new blocks but at the same time taking cost-effective measures considering the administrative expenses.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Commissioner and Secretary, Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Department, P. Sampath Kumar said, “Blocks are very important for people and development of the state as majority are from rural areas and they require sensitive support from block officers.”
He pointed out that since administrative expenses will be high the government is taking viable steps to provide a support system.
“People look for proximity for meeting various requirements like meeting pension scheme as we have about close to 60,000 pensioners, rural works like MGNREGS and others,” he said.
The government aims to reach out to every village through the block offices, he said.
On the infrastructure front, Kumar said, “We are trying to make cost effective measures.’’
‘‘There is the MGNREGS and people will also be employed there.”
The C&RD commissioner further added that BDO posts and other staff have been created on contractual basis to start the functioning of the offices.
Kumar informed that some infrastructure facilities through MGNREGS is being constructed with a cost of Rs 25 lakh for the work stations of blocks to function.
In some places, such as Sohiong, the old buildings are being used.
Stating that it leads to decentralisation, he cited the example of Selsella, which was a big block and unmanageable.
However, with the creation of two more blocks, it has become manageable.
He added that every block has 10-15 gram sevaks circle and each circle is headed by a gram sevak.
The blocks handle works such as MGNREGS and other rural schemes, Special Rural Works Programme, housing programme and National Rural Livelihood Programme in which 21 blocks are covered under this programme.
Asked on whether more blocks will be created, Kumar said “It is a political decision. It is a decision of the government but it requires administratively manageable. You cannot have small blocks and more staff, it is not viable.”
“Block is a last mile institution for the delivery of development interventions,” he added.
He informed that each Block covers a population of 65,000 and around 10,000 households.
When asked on whether the government has enough fund to create more blocks, Kumar pointed out that it is a reasonable approach.
He said, “We have to see with the growth of population, probably in future the state might take a decision accordingly.”
However, an official source said that the new pay package has put extra burden on the government reducing the amount spent on infrastructure of block offices.
There are altogether 46 blocks in the state.
