Panchayats adjacent to major MP cities to develop housing projects:Naib Tehsildar likely to oversee administration; villages to gain financial strength

Gram panchayats adjacent to major cities of MP like Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur will now be able to develop residential projects similar to Municipal Corporations and Housing Boards. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department has prepared a proposal for the development of semi-urban areas adjacent to cities. Once implemented, this plan will not only ensure planned development in these gram panchayats but will also make them economically stronger. 273 panchayats adjacent to 16 cities identified The Panchayat Department has identified approximately 273 gram panchayats adjacent to the urban limits of 16 Municipal Corporations of MP – Bhopal, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Dewas, Khandwa, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Katni, Morena, Ratlam, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Singrauli, and Ujjain – for the Semi-Urban Area Development Project. Development will happen in the vicinity of Bhopal The draft prepared by the department, under the initiative of MP Panchayat Minister Prahlad Patel, will receive final approval in the last week of this month. The draft will be discussed with Sarpanchs at a three-day conference of three-tier Panchayat representatives from 24–26 November at Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium in Bhopal. After incorporating the suggestions of Sarpanchs and Panchayat representatives, the plan will be approved. Villages will get this benefit Typically, sewage, dirt, and waste from urban areas reach gram panchayats adjacent to cities, causing diseases among villagers. This project will enable Panchayats to plan the treatment of sewage coming from Municipal Corporations. Roads passing through Panchayats and villages adjacent to urban limits will be planned and constructed considering conditions 20–25 years ahead. If a bypass is being planned to divert traffic from urban limits, it will be constructed keeping the village situation in mind. Will the panchayat be able to control urbanisation? Due to high property rates in urban areas, low-income people often buy land and build houses in villages adjacent to cities. This has led to a rapid increase in illegal colonies. Under the new system, Gram Panchayats will be able to control such urbanisation. Engineers of janpad panchayat will give building permission Under the Semi-Urban Area Development Plan, engineers of Janpad Panchayats may be authorised to grant building permissions (Bhavan Anugya) for constructing houses in Gram Panchayats. Consideration is being given to appointing a nodal officer at the District Panchayat level. MP’s panchayat minister discusses the project Question: How will this new system work in panchayats adjacent to cities? Prahlad Patel: Overcoming shortcomings seen in many development models is the best way forward. Cities develop, and all sewage from the city passes through the adjacent gram panchayat. Whether treated or after installing a treatment plant, the city’s waste dump site will be in the gram panchayat, which is an overburden. I do not consider this a victim card. I believe differently. For example, in Indore, a bypass passes through the city and there is a panchayat in between. Our effort should be to build a good road from the city to the bypass, manage sewage, and determine the use of treated water – whether for irrigation or discharge into rivers or drains. The two main priorities are cleanliness and drinking water. Question: Are lands being sold rapidly for residential plots in villages adjacent to the city? Prahlad Patel: If a farmer feels their land is fetching a high price and decides to sell, there is currently no plan in place. Under the Panchayat plan, development will be mandatory. Secretaries or Gram Sabhas cannot create plans themselves; architects are needed. Town and Country Planning may grant permissions without proper oversight, as they are unaware of previous developments. There are two or three models for developing village panchayats adjacent to cities. The first is to consider a village panchayat as a unit. Open spaces and plots should be allocated proportionately to landowners so no one suffers a loss. Currently, poor planning results in unequal benefits. The shelter fund for rural colonies is now with the District Panchayat CEO (earlier it was with the Additional Collector). Proper site selection, drainage planning, and overall development were often lacking. Two or three challenges remain: lack of competent authority, secretaries not having adequate capability. Question: Will another officer be appointed instead of the secretary? Prahlad Patel: Ideally, a Naib Tehsildar-level officer, knowledgeable in revenue matters, should be present. Matching a Naib Tehsildar with a Sarpanch is a challenge. Another option is appointing Panchayat Coordinators (PCOs) across 4–5 panchayats and training them in revenue matters. ACEOs who can become District Panchayat CEOs may also be appointed. MNREGA may be paused in these panchayats, with higher compensation from another fund to support development. Question: How many Gram Panchayats have been identified so far? Prahlad Patel: The number will be between 100 and 200, depending on the distance from cities. For example, if we take a 10-km radius outside the city, the number will differ from a 15-km radius. The first circle of panchayats will gradually become part of the city over 5–10 years. Beyond that, similar planning for roads and drainage will be applied. Question: When will this plan be implemented? Prahlad Patel: The draft is ready. The Panchayati Raj conference is scheduled for 24–26 November. On the first day, District Panchayat Presidents, Vice Presidents, and CEOs will participate. CEOs of districts involved and some Sarpanchs will be invited. On the second day, Janpad Panchayat Presidents, Vice Presidents, and CEOs will participate, and on the third day, District Panchayat members. Drafts will be discussed and presented to ensure full understanding. Question: What will be the benefit to the people of these Gram Panchayats? Prahlad Patel: If done with a plan, the development will be beneficial. Proper planning ensures higher plot values, clean water, and sewage management, benefiting future generations. Will this stop illegal colonies? Yes. Planned development will eliminate the formation of illegal colonies.