What is the full form of BDO

BDO: Block Development Officer

BDO stands for Block Development Officer. He or she is the office in charge of a block for its development and activities. BDO supervises the execution of all the programs related to the planning and development of the blocks. He makes sure that plans are approved by the concerned authorities and executed properly.

• To store and distribute the agricultural supplies
• To attend Gram Sabha and Panchayat Samiti meetings
• To participate in works programme and campaigns
• To disburse funds out of the Panchayat Samiti Fund
• To remove irregularities related to Panchayat Samiti Fund
• To ensure construction projects undertaken by the Panchayat follow the guidelines and get completed within the scheduled time
• Prepares annual budget and shares it with the Panchayat Samiti and also prepares progress reports and shares them with Panchayat Samiti as well as with the Zila Parishad and the State Govt.
• As a secretary, to issue a notice for the meetings of Panchayat Samiti and Standing Committees
• Also performs emergency functions such as during floods, fires or epidemics in his area of jurisdiction
• He examines the financial standing of the Panchayats on behalf of the Panchayat Samiti, paying particular attention to the collection of taxes, loan repayment, and maintenance of regular accounting.
• He assists Panchayats in developing strategies and ensures that they follow the priorities and plans of the Panchayat Samiti. Additionally, he makes sure that the Panchayat's construction programmes are completed on time and in accordance with the established criteria.

These are his primary duties:

(a) Agriculture, education, agricultural supply storage and distribution: In the beginning, it served a vital purpose. However, the distribution role has been taken away from him with the rise of cooperative stores. He provides agricultural education to the villages by holding camps, one-on-one conversations, group meetings, and demonstrations. This involves educating them on the usage of insecticides, improved seeds, and fertilisers.

(b) Social Education: Prior to that, he gives the public an explanation of the program's concept and the prospects it offers for community development. Now, Gram Sabha and Samitis are mostly responsible for this. He must, however, explain a lot at Gram Sabhas and Panchayats.

(c) Production Schedule and Support Services: Since 1957, the V.L.W. has begun assisting the Village Panchayats in formulating, carrying out, and assessing their production programmes. He draughts the plan in accordance with instructions from above, calls for Gram Sabha meetings, explains the plan to Gram Sabha, and, after the Gram Sabha has corrected the plan, sanctifies it as the village plan.

Through the assistance of an Extension Officer and by expediting loan or subsidy applications, he obtains technical and financial assistance.

(d) Participating in a Works Program: In the beginning, he convince the villagers to contribute to the work programmes, organised "Sram dan," attracted an overseer's assistance, kept track of the works, and attracted government subsidies for carrying out the programme.

(f) HouseKeeping: He keeps records, and sends and returns reports. While on an official tour, he attends staff meetings at the Block Headquarters and responds to supervisors' and guests' needs.

(g) Attending Gram Sabha and Panchayat Samiti Meetings: In his community, he is obligated to attend Panchayat and Gram Sabha Meetings. These sessions typically last five days and are held five times every month on average.

(h) Other Positions: In addition to the roles already mentioned, he has been given additional duties like providing medical first aid, conducting surveys, taking part in modest saving initiatives, and other urgent tasks.

In light of the proportional importance of the tasks he performs, we can conclude that a Village Level Worker (V.L.W.) spends 80% of his time on agriculture. The versatility of his character is consequently overshadowed.

How to become Block Development Officer / Eligibility Criteria for BDO

This post comes under the State Government. The administrative Service Exam is held by the State Public Service Commission for the hiring of BDOs. After passing this written exam, the candidates have to appear for a personal interview.

To become a BDO, one has to fulfil the following conditions or eligibility criteria:

The candidate must be a graduate or hold a bachelor's degree from a government-recognized college, university, institution or board. He can be from any stream such as arts, commerce and science. Because a degree is mandatory, diploma students can't appear for BDO exams.

The age limit is 21 to 35 years. However, relaxation is provided for the candidates of reserved categories such as SC/ST, OBC and Disabled/Handicapped of 5 years (till 37 years old), 3 years (till 35 years old), and 42 years with 10 years of relaxation respectively.