Sarpanch kneels before Tehsildar, begs him for developmental works in panchayat in Odisha's Keonjhar

A picture of a sarpanch kneeling before a Tehsildar and begging him for developmental works in his panchayat has gone viral on social media platforms. The incident has been reported from Hatidihi tehsil in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

The picture of the people’s representative begging before a ‘sarkari’ babu has raised questions on the accountability of government officials in the performance of their duty. The viral picture shows the sarpanch kneeling on the ground and holding the Tehsildar’s leg while the government official is seen standing and looking at his phone.

They are surrounded by other officials in the office. 

“He is very interested in personal relationships with people and giving them contract works with ulterior motives, but when it comes to developmental works of panchayat, he always takes a back step. He is hell-bent on stopping all the government developmental projects in my panchayat,” the sarpanch Prashant Rout alleged.

“I have been running from Tehsil office to the RI office, but he has been behaving badly with me. But, I countered his aggressiveness with my simplicity and fell on his feet for the development of my area and my people,” he added.

When contacted, Anandapur Sub-Collector Chitaranjan Mahanta said, “I have sought an explanation from the Tehsildar, and appropriate action in this regard will be taken.”