TV
Hundreds of sarpanchs from across the State hit the streets on Saturday seeking fulfilment of their 15-point charter of demands.
Sarpanchs from many parts of the State are staging a protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar to press for their various demands including giving full power to the sarpanchs as per the provision in the three-tier Pachyatiraj system, increase in exigency funds and increase in the amount of pension from Rs 2,350 to Rs 30,000.
Two months earlier, the sarpanchs in the State had submitted memorandums in this regard to the Chief Minister through the Collectors. However, they were forced to stage protests at different block headquarters and Capital city of the State as their demands are not met.
The agitators, united under the banner of Sarpanch Mahasangh, alleged that despite working for people in their community round-the-clock without any leave, they are being paid a meagre Rs 2,300.
The sarpanchs also alleged that most of the government projects are being implemented at the grassroots by block level officials without their knowledge and their power and rights are being curtailed.
“What is the use of a sarpanch if we are kept in the dark about the projects implemented in our own panchayats. Why are we working at grassroots then?” questioned a sarpanch from Jeypore.
“Our work has been reduced mostly to signing on Aadhaar papers and resolving local disputes,” rued another sarpanch.
The sarpanchs’ body threatened if their demands are not met they will tender mass resignation and sit on indefinite strike.
