Efforts to be made for planned settlement of Gram Panchayats

Bhopal: Tendency of unplanned and uncontrolled population settlement has increased in Gram Panchayats situated near peripheries of cities in the state, especially Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur and Gwalior and National Highways. The State Government is considering to effect necessary amendments in concerning laws and rules for preventing this tendency and irregularities. This will result into systematic arrangements for basic amenities. Besides, revenue of concerning Gram Panchayats will also increase.
A high-level departmental meeting chaired by Panchayat, Rural Development and Social Justice Minister Shri Gopal Bhargava discussed these issues in depth. Shri Bhargava directed that legal provisions must be implemented strictly to monitor construction of colonies and buildings in an irregular manner at Gram Panchayats near cities and National Highways. It was also decided at the meeting to constitute two committees for this purpose, which will give recommendations about necessary amendments and new provisions in the existing laws within prescribed time-limit.
Additional Chief Secretary Panchayat & Rural Development Smt. Aruna Sharma, Principal Secretary Housing & Environment Shri Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretary Urban Administration & Development Shri S.P.S. Parihar, Secretary Law and Legal Affairs Shri Anil Verma and Commissioner Panchaayts Shri Vishwa Mohan Upadhyay also put forth their suggestions pertaining to the issue. Discussion was also held at the meeting on dissolution of the Nagar Panchayats, which are to be developed into Nagar Panchayats. Other senior departmental officers also participated in the meeting.