Telangana government directs deputy sarpanches to sign panchayat cheques within seven days

Cheque Signing Deadline

Deputy sarpanches in gram panchayats must sign cheques related to fund usage within seven days, according to a fresh government order. Officials who refuse to sign within this timeframe will face strict action.

Transfer of Power

The joint check power currently held by deputy sarpanches will be cancelled in such cases. This authority will instead be transferred to either the panchayat secretary, the mandal panchayat officer, or the MPDO.

Background and Orders

Divya Devarajan, the commissioner of the panchayat raj and rural development department, issued these directions to all district collectors on Thursday. The decision followed complaints from several sarpanches and officials that development funds were getting stuck because deputy sarpanches refused to sign cheques due to ongoing disputes with sarpanches. These orders were issued following directions from minister Seethakka.

Context

Gram panchayats rely heavily on timely fund disbursement for local development work and basic civic maintenance at the village level. When local administrative conflicts halt financial approvals, grassroots projects often face long delays that affect daily public services.