G.O. (D) No. 176, Appointment of State Nodal Officer for COVID-19 Related Works
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.2) Department issued G.O. (D) No. 176 on 4 August 2020, appointing Dr Pinky Jowel, I.A.S., Special Secretary to Government, as State Nodal Officer with immediate effect to coordinate COVID-19 related work for the department. It directs departmental Heads to coordinate with her on preventive measures in rural areas and does not change land ownership, land use or property records.
What the document does
G.O. (D) No. 176 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.2) Department appoints Dr Pinky Jowel, I.A.S., Special Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, as the State Nodal Officer for coordinating COVID-19 related work. The appointment took effect immediately on 4 August 2020.
The appointment followed a communication from the Director (SAGY), Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Rural Development, Government of India. That communication concerned support for a COVID-19 behaviour change campaign and preventive work in rural areas.
Background and purpose
The Ministry of Rural Development communication stated that NITI Aayog had launched a behaviour change campaign called Navigating the New Normal. The campaign focused on COVID safe behaviour, particularly correct mask wearing during the unlock phase of the pandemic.
The communication sought mobilisation of State level resources to support coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Rural Development and NITI Aayog. It also requested initiation of the campaign in Saansad Adharsh Gram Yojana Gram Panchayats and submission of an Action Taken Report.
Who must act
G.O. (D) No. 176 directs all Heads of Department under the control of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department to coordinate with the appointed State Nodal Officer. Their coordination is specifically for preventive measures intended to control the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas.
The document was circulated to rural development bodies and officials, including the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, District Collectors, the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited, the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project and the State Institute of Rural Development.
Relevance to land and property
G.O. (D) No. 176 is an internal public administration and public health coordination document. It contains no provision changing land ownership, classification, permitted land use, survey records, registration requirements or property rights. Property buyers and owners do not need to take any land related action based on this document.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (D) No. 176 affect my land ownership or property records?
No. The document appoints a State Nodal Officer for COVID-19 related coordination and contains no change to land ownership, land use or property records.
Who was appointed as the State Nodal Officer?
Dr Pinky Jowel, I.A.S., Special Secretary to Government in the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, was appointed with immediate effect.
What are departmental Heads required to do?
All Heads of Department under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department must coordinate with the State Nodal Officer on preventive measures to control COVID-19 in rural areas.
Why was the State Nodal Officer appointed?
The appointment supported coordinated COVID-19 preventive work in rural areas, including the Navigating the New Normal behaviour change campaign focused especially on mask wearing.
