School Level Monitoring Committee - formation

Reference: School Education Department (Primary Branch), Government of West Bengal notification no. 840-SE/Pry/2D-1/2007 dated: 07/08/2008

In order to execute various civil works, monitor enrolment and mid day meal there will be a school level monitoring committee consisting of following members:
(i)Gram Panchayat member of the concerned Gram Sansad :- Chairperson
(ii)Head Teacher of the concerned Pry School:- Secretary
(iii)5 members from the parents of school going children of
the school- one of them out of parents of 1st generation
learners (selected by MTA):- Members
(iv)Junior Engineer appointed for the respective block
under SSM: - Member
(v) Siksha Bandhu of respective Gram Panchayat:- Member
(vi) President/ Secretary of the SHG involved in cooking
of MDM in the school: - Members

The fund provided to the VEC for construction work or community mobilization will be expended by the school level monitoring committee through the joint signature of any two of the three, namely, Chairperson, Secretary and the Junior Engineer. The committee will meet every fortnight. It will maintain & place all vouchers, asset details & other accounts to the VEC in its half yearly meeting for social audit & will be accountable to the VEC.

Computerised Accounts at PS & GP Level

This month all the Gram Panchayats under Bagnan-I have updated entry in GPMS as per new Financial Rule upto August, 2008. In addition every GP has started issuing money receipt generated from GPMS.

Further Bagnan-I Panchayat Samiti maintains computerised accounting system-IFMS.

Its an achievement that all the Gram Panchayat & Panchayat Samiti maintain computerised accounting system simultaneously. All the GP staffs & PS staffs have contributed to reach here with goal of more transparency, effective financial mangement.

Constitution of new Gram Unnayan Samiti

To comply the order issued by the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal vide no. 2975/PN/O/1/1A-1/04 (Part02) dated:21/07/2008 new Gram Unnayan Samiti in each of the 118 Gram Sansads under Bagnan-I Block has to be constituted after 7th Panchayat General Election, 2008.
The Department has mentioned in the order that the every Gram Panchayat shall convene a special Gram Sansad meeting within 31st august, 2008 but no Gram Panchayat in Bagnan-I has convened till date. Under Rule 71 of the West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Administration) Rules, 2004, Part-II, Chapter XI the extra-ordinary meeting of a Gram Sansad for constitution of the Gram Unnayan Samiti shall be convened by the Gram Panchayat giving clear fifteen days notice specifying the date, time and the venue which shall be a place within the jurisdiction of the Gram Sansad.
(2) The notice for the extra-ordinary meeting shall be deemed to have been served if a public announcement to that effect is made either by beat of drums or through public announcement system or by distribution of leaflets.
(3) The presence of at least one-fifth of the Gram Sansad members shall form a quorum for the meeting failing which the meeting shall be adjourned.
(4) The adjourned meeting shall be held on the 7th day after the date of such meeting and the attendance of at least one-tenth of the total members shall form a quorum.
(5) The members attending the meeting shall record their attendance in a register.
(6) The Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti, if feels necessary, may appoint an observer not below the rank of an extension officer for such meeting who shall submit a report to him in writing under seal and signature within a week on the proceedings of the meeting.
(7) In case of any dispute on election of members in Gram Unnayan Samiti, the Gram Panchayat shall refer the matter to the Block Development Officer and ex-officio Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti for decision.
As per order of the Panchayat & Rural Development Department vide no. 110/PN/O/1/1A-1/04 dated 27/01/2005 & under Rule 69 of the West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Administration) Rules, 2004, Part-II, Chapter XI if there is no quorum in a meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned to be held at the same place and hour on the seventh day after the date of such meeting. Attendance of at least one-tenth of the total number of members shall form a quorum for the adjourned meeting. According to the order, if there is no quorum in the adjourned meeting, the meeting shall be further adjourned and special Gram Sansad meeting shall be convened after one month.
Under Rule 72 of the West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Administration) Rules, 2004, Part-II, Chapter XI A Gram Unnayan Samiti shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(a) the member or members of the Gram Panchayat elected from the particular Gram Sansad, ex- officio;
(b) the person or persons securing the second highest votes in the preceding Panchayat election;
(c) one member from a non-governmental organization, either registered or otherwise recognized by the State Government and other community based organisations like the Samabay Krishi Unnayan Samiti, Village Education Committee, Anganwari Center, Managing Committee of the Shishu Shiksha Kendra, Water-Shed Committee, Water-User Committee, Forest Protection Committee, if being member of the Gram Sansad and operating in the Gram Sansad area, to be elected to the Gram Unnayan Samiti:
Provided that the membership shall remain restricted to three non-governmental organisations or other community based organizations;
(d) one member from a self-help group, functioning in the Gram Sansad area for at least six months, having a bank account and all the members of the group being members of the Gram Sansad, to be elected to the Gram Unnayan Samiti:
Provided that the membership shall remain restricted to three self-help groups of which at least two shall be from the women led self-help groups;
(e) one serving or retired Government employee residing in the area and being a member of the Gram Sansad to be elected to the Gram Unnayan Samiti;
(f) one serving or retired teacher residing in the area and being a member of the Gram Sansad to be elected to the Gram Unnayan Samiti;
(g) another ten members or one per cent of the total members of the Gram Sansad, whichever is higher, to be elected from the remaining members of the Gram Sansad:
Provided that not less than one-third members of the Gram Unnayan Samiti shall be women.

Under Rule 73 of the West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Administration) Rules, 2004, Part-II, Chapter XI the Gram Panchayat member elected from a Gram Sansad shall be the Chairperson of the Gram Unnayan Samiti:
Provided that in the event of there being two elected members from any constituency, the member senior in age shall be the Chairperson.
(2) The Gram Unnayan Samiti shall have a Secretary to be selected by the Gram Unnayan Samiti from amongst its members in its first meeting.

Under Rule 70 of the West Bengal Panchayat (Gram Panchayat Administration) Rules, 2004, Part-II, Chapter XI (1) The Gram Unnayan Samiti may constitute the functional committees, consisting of three to four members and invite any other member of Gram Sansad having technical knowledge to assist the Gram Unnayan Samiti and/or any of the functional committees.
(2) The tenure of the Gram Unnayan Samiti and its functional committees shall be the same as that of the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sansad shall review the performance of the members of the Gram Unnayan Samiti every year in its annual meeting and may renew the membership of the existing members or replace all or any of the members, other than the members as referred to in rule 72 (a) and (b), by electing new members.
(3) The Gram Sansad may elect the members by simple majority determined by raising of hands or by division. The result of the election shall be recorded in a register by the presiding officer appointed by the Gram Panchayat from its employees, other than the Gram Panchayat Karmees, for the purpose of meeting, read over for information of the members and signed by the presiding officer before the meeting is closed. As per order of the Panchayat & Rural Development Department vide no. 110/PN/O/1/1A-1/04 dated 27/01/2005, the Executive Assistant/ Secretary/ Job Assistant/ Nirman Sahayak/ Sahayak will act as Presiding Officer.

Opening Bank or Post Office savings A/C for NREGA Job Card holders

Although arrangement for photography of members of families having job cards has been made by 3rd week of August, 2008 from Block level and detail planning has been made, it is observed that some Gram Panchayats have not taken step for photography. This should be kept in mind that Principal Secretary, Panchayat & Rural Development, Govt. of West Bengal has mentioned in his letter no SPRD-1013(18)/1(62)-08 dated: 29.08.2008 that wage under NREGA can be paid to the labourers from the month of November 2008 only through accounts in the banks and post offices and no cash payment will be allowed.
If photography is not done immediately and proper planning is not made, bank or post office A/C opening will not be done. Gram Panchayats have already received fund for NREG schemes which cannot be utilised timely.

Reconstitution of VEC

School Education Department, Primary Branch, Govt. of West Bengal has issued revised guidelines vide notification no. 840-SE/Pry/2D-I/2007 Dated: 07/08/2008 for constitution and functioning of the village education committee (VEC) and the school level monitoring committee.
The geographical jurisdiction of VEC shall be same as that for the relevant Gram Sansad identified by the State Government- In Bagnan-I block total number of Gram Sansad is now 118 after Panchayat General Election, 2008, before Election it was 143. The term of VEC will be five years. It will be reconstituted every time a Panchayat Election is held. The composition of VEC will be as follows:
(1) GP member from the concerned Gram Sansad- Chairman, if more than one GP member represents the same Gram Sansad, elder member will be the chairman & other will be member. In 24 Gram Sansads under Bagnan-I there are two GP members representing same Gram Sansad.
(2) Head Teacher of the primary school located in the Gram Sansad- Secretary, if more than one primary school located in the same Gram Sansad, senior Head teacher will be the Secretary & other will be member(s).
(3) Siksha Sahayika(s) of SSK functioning in the Gram Sansad- Member(s).
(4) Anganwadi worker(s) of ICDS located in the Gram Sansad- Member(s).
(5) Preraks of the CEC located within Gram Sansad- Member(s).
(6) One member or more from the Managing Committee(s) of nearby upper Pry School(s)/ MSK(s)- Member(s)
(7) All Parents having children of age group (4+ to 13+) - Member(s).
(8) Siksha Bandhu of concerned GP- Member.

The Secretary of the VEC shall convene the meeting of VEC in consultation with the Chairman at a convenient place within the Gram Sansad once in six months, preferably at a time when parents are able to attend. The Panchayat Samity will be responsible for approving constitution of VEC and shall have the power to monitor and evaluate the activities of VECs. Gram Panchayat will be responsible for constitution of VEC in all Gram Sansad areas irrespective of whether formal primary school or SSK exists in the Gram Sansad.
District Project Officer, Sarva Siksha Mission, Howrah has directed vide his memo no. 1569(51)/SSM/CM&AS Dated: 22.08.2008 that reconstitution of VEC and School Level Monitoring Committee shall be completed within 7th September, 2008. Also the signature of Secretary is mandatory while issuing cheques and utilization certificate or transaction of any financial matter.

IGNOAPS

Vide notification No.1497/PN/P/II/3F-9/06 Dated: 01.04.2008 of Government of West Bengal, Department of Panchayats & R.D. all the destitute persons, identified to be 65 years of age or more, as on 1st November, 2007, or earlier, and belonging to BPL households as per the current BPL list prepared on the basis of survey held in the year 2005 and subsequently published in April, 2007 will get monthly pension at the rate of Rs.400/- (Rupees Four Hundred) per month, under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) with effect from 1st November, 2007, subject to ratification by the respective Gram Sansads and subsequent sanction of the respective Gram Panchayats, and that the beneficiaries under erstwhile National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) will continue to get monthly pension under the IGNOAPS at the current rate till they remain alive.
All such persons belonging to BPL households as per BPL list, as modified from time to time, who will attain the age of 65 years, will become eligible for monthly pension under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) at the prevailing rate from the month of January of the year in which such person attains the age of 65 years; and all persons aged 65 years or more, whose family will be enlisted in BPL list in future, subsequent to any modification in the BPL List, will also become eligible for monthly pension under IGNOAPS from the month from which the modified BPL list will come into operation, subject to the approval of the Gram Sansad and sanction of the Gram Panchayat, having jurisdiction over the area to which such BPL list pertains.
Vide notification no 5278(18)/RD (SGSY)/20M-6/05 – Pt-I dated: 17/07/2007, IGNOAPS beneficiaries will be selected from the persons who attained the age of 65 years as on 1st November, 2007 and whose household total score is 33(i.e. BPL household) in RHS 2.0.0 software database kept at each GP’s computer as published in April, 2007. But in Howrah District fresh claims and objections were exceptionally invited on the basis of resolutions made in several all political party meetings at District level, Block Level and GP level as the BPL percentage was meager 14% in Howrah District. Obviously seven lakh claims were submitted in the District ( twenty thousand in Bagnan-I block). After due enquiry and hearing of all the claims and objections it has been revealed that total score of large segment of households have been less than previous score. Khalil ahmed, IAS and District Magistrate, Howrah has clearly mentioned in his letter no. 3490(28)-C dated 14.08.2008 that State Govt has approved total score 29 as cut off score for BPL household in Howrah district. On the basis of this cut off score, BPL percentage in Howrah District has been increased to 22% from 14%.
While identifying IGNOAPS beneficiaries some Gram Panchayats take print out of BPL list with total score <=33 and filtering manually which household has score <=29. It is undesirable. Some beneficiaries with total score >29 but <=33 may be selected which cannot be approved. Executive Assistants of GP are requested to contact Sri. Arup basak, BIO, MOB: 9239160479 how to get print out from RHS 2.0.0 software with total score <=29. Before disbursing pension to IGNOAPS beneficiaries 1st time, age proof in any Govt. certificate like EPIC, Ration Card etc should be checked and one photocopy should be kept at GP office. Expenditure required for Xeroxing may be made from GP own fund.

Institutional delivery at PHC

Sri. A. K.Deb, IAS & Commissioner, Family Welfare has stated vide memo no. H/440(18)/CFW/2008 dt. 28.07.2008 that institutional delivery is one of the key intervention to reduce maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate and institutional delivery should be started & functional at each BPHC and PHC. In 1st phase in 2008-09 in Bagnan-I, Mankur and Adra PHC have been identified where institutional delivery can be started by September, 2008. At each identified PHC rental accomodation for medical officers & nursing staffs should be arranged with the help of Block Health and Family Welfare Samity, Bagnan-I where the quearters are not available or non habitable. The upper limit of rent should not exceed Rs. 2000/- pm. At Mankur PHC, upgradation is undertaken by Howrah Zilla Parishad but performance is poor and perhaps work will be completed by March, 2009. At Adra PHC, rental accomodation is required for MO & one nursing personnel. Other 2 nursing staffs reside within 2km from PHC. Secondly, each PHC will be linked with one/ two ambulances for referral services. Thirdly, the PHC will be given one mobile phone with rental charges of Rs. 100/- pm. Fourth, One Self Help Group will be engaged at each PHC for cleaning.

Correct report preparation

We should try to ensure correct reporting.....This is the 1st step to implement e-governance. If we are not honest and sincere enough to prepare and publish correct report everything will go futile.