Baghpat: Sudir Rajput operates his own business in Noida. During the lockdown, when he went back to his village in Baghpat, he was astonished to see no development there. The elections for the village head were being held at the same time. Sudhir contested in the elections and was declared as the Gram Pradhan. Presently, he is involved in making the election process digitalized through various campaigns. His vision is to secure the future of the children which includes setting up a library in the village, installing computers at his own expense and introducing internet hotspots and cameras for better connectivity and security. Moreover, Sudhir has issued a helpline number for the convenience of the villagers. 

Helpline number for the villagers

The helpline number offers various options to address the complaints of Fazal Gram Panchayat of Binauli block of Baghpat. Complaints regarding irregular visits of the garbage vans or sweepers, damage to government handpumps, pension ration cards, birth and death certificates, income, caste and character certificates can be lodged with the help of this helpline number. 

Through this helpline number, people can also have the facility of talking to the Lekhpal (accountant) and Gram Pradhan (Village Head) on the phone. 

Responsibility of the Panchayat

While making the call, the villagers can choose services by dialling numbers from 1 to 9 on the provided phone number. The call is recorded by the computer and is registered along with all their other complaints. A worker from the Panchayat committee has been given the responsibility of tracking these complaints. 

Sudhir shares that his team has created a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system; it is used to record and track complaints. If the same complaint is received within four days, the system prompts the workers to follow up on the previous complaint, ensuring the issues are addressed promptly. Sudhir aims to resolves the issues at the earliest so that the need to file another complaint is not required. 

Garbage collection in the village

Sudhir’s village has a population of over four thousand people. He is dedicated to his service and has introduced libraries in the village. The young children are provided with guidance related to their education in the libraries. News regarding employment opportunities is shared among the kids through the circulation of letters and magazines. He has arranged computers in the libraries from his personal expenses. 

Sudhir, being the head of the village, has spent Rs 1.40 lakh on purchasing an e-rickshaw for the garbage collection.  Through his efforts, Fazalpur has been given the status of Model Gram Panchayat. 

Making the village self-reliant

To make his village more advanced, Sudhir has built shops in the vacant places of the Gram Panchayat. These shops will generate rental income and boost the Panchayat’s revenue. Moreover, there are plans to set up a 250-litre RO plant, in order to provide clean water to the villagers. 

Sudhir wishes to make the Panchayat self-reliant and modern. He understands the concerns of the villagers in this fast-paced world and strives to make all the essential facilities available in the village. There are plans of constructing chaupals (open discussion areas) in the village where people can gather and share their woes. Sufficient government funds are not available, but Sudhir does not hesitate to digitalize the village from his personal expenses.