Govt empowers panchayat samitis to manage sand sources in villages

AMID concerns over scarcity of sand for construction purposes, the Odisha government has introduced new rules allowing panchayat samitis to manage the sources.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @ Bhubaneswar

As per the new framework, a seven-member committee headed by sarpanch will be constituted at panchayat-level to manage the sand source. The lease deed will be executed by the sarpanch as the chairman of the committee.

The committee comprises ward member, junior engineer, revenue inspector, president of gram panchayat-level federation and one block staff. Panchayat executive officer will be member-convener of the committee.