Assam Chief MinisterSarbananda Sonowal directed the Panchayat & Rural Development Department toevaluate the gaon panchayats on the basis of their performance and develop a ratingsystem for the GPs.

Sonowal asked thedepartment to maintain utmost transparency and accountability while implementingdevelopmental schemes to usher in good governance.

While reviewingprogress of schemes implemented by the P&RD Department in a meeting held atits HQ at Panjabari in Guwahati today, the Chief Minister further asked to fixresponsibility on GP presidents, secretaries and chief executive officers ofzila parishad for their performance and issue show-cause notice to those whoperform poorly in the assessment indices.

Calling for strictmonitoring of schemes for fair utilization of funds, the Chief Ministerdirected the department to constitute a cell to monitor public complaints orgraft charges that appear in print and electronic media against the ruraldevelopment schemes. The cell would further take feedback from officialsagainst whom allegations have been made to ascertain the veracity and initiatetimely action against the erring officials, the Chief Minister said.

Stating the need fortimely completion of schemes, Chief Minister Sonowal emphasised on the need forday-today collection of status report and instructed the department to developa system for effective monitoring.

Moreover saying thatthere are vast opportunities available in the villages for income generation,the Chief Minister asked the department to constitute a cell to carry out microlevel study of the markets to explore economic opportunities. He said that suchan endeavour would help in establishing better linkages between the market andthe produces by the villagers.