Udupi, (The Hindu): K. Raghupati Bhat, MLA, said on Monday that Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) should be sensitive to the needs of the people while discharging their duties. He was speaking after inaugurating the foundation training programme for 50 newly-appointed PDOs, organised by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, the Abdul Nazeer Sab State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and zilla panchayats of Udupi and Chikkamgaluru, at the Pragati Soudha, here.

Mr. Bhat said that the post of PDO was meant for serving the people who live in rural areas.

Those serving as PDOs had the important responsibility of taking the schemes implemented by the Union and State governments to the people. “The PDOs should always be in touch with the people,” he said.

At the same time it was incumbent upon the PDOs that they do not misuse the powers conferred on them by the government.

They should not fall prey to inducements and work impartially.

Their approach had to be pro-people. While following all government norms and rules, the PDOs should be responsive to the needs of the people, he said. The work of the PDOs was contemporary and challenging. They had to take the elected representatives into confidence and discharge their duties, Mr. Bhat said.

Shivananda Kapashi, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, said that PDOs had the capacity to change the face of rural development. They should have a thorough understanding of law, rules, regulations and norms and work in cooperation with the elected representatives. They had the direct responsibility of implementing the programmes of 29 government departments. They should have cordial relations with the general public, he said.

Ashok of Sri Kshetra Dharmashtala Rural Development Project, welcomed the gathering. Sudarshan, instructor from the Abdul Nazeer Sab State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, delivered the introductory remarks. Nalini P. Rao, President of Udupi Taluk Panchayat, presided over the inaugural function.