Panchayats told to act on media reports

Circular says they must take action on the flaws highlighted in two days

The directorate of panchayats has issued a circular directing panchayats to take note of reports appearing in news media regarding the day-to-day administration of the local body and, if needed, take remedial action. The circular, issued at the end of January, said reports appear frequently in visual and print media regarding deficiencies in the administration of panchayats. These reports need emergency attention from the panchayats but they are often ignored.

The circular said if reports appear in news media on the functioning of panchayats or auxiliary establishments and regarding the services being offered by these establishments, the panchayat secretaries must examine the facts and if action is needed it should be taken within two days.The circular also directed the panchayat administration to entrust the task of monitoring the media daily for such reports to librarians or clerks. They should keep an eye on the media and inform the secretary of the reports along with clippings of the news items, the circular said.