Volunteers in Rajamahendravaram, a city in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India, are set to collect data from over 6.51 lakh households in 512 villages and wards from June 24 to 30. The aim of the exercise is to understand the problems faced by the people and provide them with the benefits of welfare schemes to which they are eligible. The district Collector, Dr K Madhavi Latha, has instructed the volunteers to visit every house in their area and record details of the schemes received by the family and capture the photos of the beneficiaries. The information gathered will be used to provide civic services more effectively.
The survey team will also hold Gram Sabha meetings every alternative day from July 1 to 23, where eligible persons yet to be covered under various schemes will be identified. Residents will also be able to apply for birth, death, marriage, and other certificates, and more than 550 other services provided through the Secretariat system, with 11 services available free of charge.
Dr Latha commented that the state government has ordered officials to be committed and accountable in providing civic services, and that the survey is a key way to achieve this aim. On Saturday, the Collector visited Rajavolu village to inspect the Jagananna Suraksha house visit program and interacted with the people and volunteers, who were advised to go to every house and record the information they gather accurately. Rural Mandal Special Officer and District Tribal Welfare Officer K Jyoti and Secretariat staff also attended the event.
The volunteers and Gruha Sarathis will play a crucial role in ensuring that every person in the area can benefit from the welfare schemes to which they are entitled. However, it remains to be seen how effectively the information gathered will be used to provide civic services and support the communities in the region.
