EW Correspondent Palamu: The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has been officially merged into the Zila Parishad, as announced during the Zila Parishad Board meeting held on Saturday under the chairmanship of Zila Parishad President Pratima Kumari. The meeting took place at the Block C Auditorium of the Collectorate. Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) and Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Parishad, Shabbir Ahmed, along with Zila Parishad Vice President Alok Kumar Singh, declared the merger in accordance with the Jharkhand government’s resolution number 2078, issued on June 10, 2024. Key Highlights of the Merger Formation of a Rural Development Branch: As per the Rural Development Department's decision, a District Rural Development Branch will be formed to manage the schemes previously executed under DRDA. Integration of DRDA Employees: The 24 employees of DRDA will now be absorbed into the Zila Parishad. Their salaries will be disbursed following the conditions stipulated by the government. Streamlined Management of Central Schemes: With the merger, schemes earlier managed by DRDA will now operate directly under the Zila Parishad’s purview, ensuring better coordination and execution. Other Decisions Taken in the Meeting Revenue Collection: Defaulters will receive notices to clear their pending rents within a week. In case of non-compliance, rent with interest will be recovered through legal action, and shops will be sealed and reallocated to new tenants. Approval of Annual Work Plan: The Board unanimously approved the annual work plan for 2024-25 under the 15th Finance Commission. Departmental Reviews: The Board reviewed the functioning of various departments, including social security, supply department, education, social welfare, land conservation, and agriculture. The meeting saw the participation of various Zila Parishad members, block heads, and officials from multiple departments. This merger is expected to bring about streamlined management of rural development initiatives and efficient execution of government schemes at the district level.