The Centre's decision to close all DRDA offices will be merged with the District Panchayat

It is estimated that the decision was taken for the sake of administrative ease as some of the schemes in the field of rural development are duplicated.

Rajkot: On the eve of Diwali before the start of the new financial year, the central government has decided to abruptly close the district level DRDA (District Rural Development Agency) offices in all the states from April 20. The decision to close the offices of the agency, which is working on several schemes including MGNREGA at the village level, has also taken government officials by surprise.

The Ministry of Rural Development of the Government of India has issued an order in this regard. The offices of the District Rural Development Agency will be closed from April 20 of the new financial year and the structure of this agency will be merged with the District Panchayat. At present Deputy Collector level officers are appointed as the Director of DRDA. As per the order issued by the Government of India, the staff hired on deputation from DRDA will be repatriated and the outsourced contract staff will be involved in the operation of schemes including MGNREGA, PMJY or Sanitation Mission as per their qualifications.

DRDA's agency is working in all the districts of Gujarat. The staff of 20-rupee is currently working in Rajkot office. This office will continue till March 20, after which the charge of this office including funds will be handed over under the District Panchayat. The government grant will also be given to the district panchayat from the new financial year. According to sources, the decision of the Indian government to abruptly close the DRDA office, which has been in operation for the last 40 years, comes as a surprise. However, according to officials attached to the department, the decision is believed to have been taken with a view to harmonizing the work as the sanitation campaign, some activities related to rural development are duplicated in the structure of DRDA and District Panchayat.