Block Development Officer
Also called: BDO · Topic: Panchayati Raj: Rural Local Government · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 8 "Local Governments"
Meaning
A Block Development Officer (BDO) is a state government officer who runs a development block, which is a group of villages. The post grew out of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953). Today the BDO is the executive officer of the panchayat samiti, the block-level tier of panchayati raj. The BDO puts development schemes into action at the block level.
Example
When a panchayat samiti puts together the plans of its gram panchayats and passes on funds for schemes such as PMGSY (rural roads), the BDO carries out that work. Critics count control by the BDO among the reasons elected panchayats have little freedom to act.
Don't confuse with
- Panchayat secretary: a government-appointed official at the village level who calls gram panchayat meetings and keeps records and accounts. The BDO works at the block level.