She is the Sarpanch of Badapalli Panchayat under Khalikote block in Ganjam district. These days, she is in news for another reason.
Hema Nayak, is begging in spite of being a Sarpanch. She is begging for her survival. Her pathetic situation came to the fore after a video clip of her begging went viral.
A few days ago, Nayak was seen sharing the dais with local MLA Suryamani Baidya at an event where Smart Health Cards under Biju Swasthya Yojana were distributed among the beneficiaries.
When asked about the day-to-day Panchayat works, her reply was rather shocking. “Now I am getting to know something..." was her answer.
The answer of her learning things is quite shocking as her five year term is about to end.
Some local residents alleged that there are some people who are taking advantages of Nayak's ignorance about the Panchayat works.
“Despite being the Sarpanch of a Panchayat, she knows nothing about how things are going on. Cashing in on it, from top to bottom including the BDO, all are misappropriating the money meant for Panchayat’s development,” alleged Seemanchal Behera, a local resident.
When asked, Khalikote block development officer (BDO) Mitali Patra said the allegation of the Sarpanch begging is baseless. “She is not so educated to handle the day to day works of the Panchayat office. She always depends on her husband and son to do works on her behalf,” observed Patra.
During 2017 Panchayt elections, the Sarpanch seat for Badapali panchayat was reserved for ST woman candidate. Since Hema was the only ST woman in the Panchayat then, she got elected without a contest.