Sanitation, plantation drives disrupted as fund-starved gram panchayats struggle to maintain tractors

The absence of elected gram panchayat bodies is cited as the main reason behind the financial crisis

Karimnagar: Maintenance of tractors has become a major challenge for gram panchayats in the district, which are already struggling to carry out sanitation and other works due to lack of funds.

To keep villages clean, the previous BRS government had sanctioned a tractor to each gram panchayat for garbage collection and disposal at designated dumping yards. Additionally, water tankers were provided to supply water to saplings planted under the Haritha Haram programme. Saplings were planted along roadsides under NREGS, and Palle Prakruthi Vanams were also developed in every village. Tractors were essential in supplying water and maintaining these green spaces.

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However, in many villages, sanitation and watering activities have been disrupted due to tractors being non-operational. While a few larger panchayats are able to utilise tractor services, smaller ones are unable to do so due to financial constraints. The absence of elected gram panchayat bodies is cited as the main reason behind the financial crisis. Tractors were previously operated using State and Central Finance Commission funds, which are now withheld due to the expiry of the gram panchayat terms one and a half years ago. As a result, no funds are being released, and essential works like sanitation have come to a standstill.

Multipurpose workers have been deployed to operate tractors in some cases. House tax collections are being used to buy diesel and meet other operational needs. In emergencies, gram panchayat officials are hiring private drivers, as many villages lack tractor drivers. Not just tractors, the maintenance of segregation sheds, Palle Prakruthi Vanams, graveyards and other civic works has also been neglected.

Speaking to Telangana Today, former sarpanch Budida Mallesh expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of villages. Stating that the villages had become unhygienic, he said residents were now dumping garbage in front of their houses as the collection of dry and wet waste had stopped. He added that side drains were not being cleaned regularly, exposing people to health issues. Mallesh, who earlier served as sarpanch of Nagaram in Manthani mandal, noted that the village had won the National Panchayat Award in 2022 and the Swachh Survekshan Award in 2023. However, villages were facing severe difficulties due to political conspiracies, he said.