False affidavit lands woman sarpanch in soup

Cuttack: A woman sarpanch of Gopalpur Panchayat under Mahanga block of Cuttack district has been charged with submitting false affidavit during the Panchayat elections held in February last year. Following the villagers’ complaints with the District Collector, a team has been constituted to probe into the matter.

As per the allegation of some locals, the sarpanch Manjulata Jena, while submitting the affidavit, had mentioned that she has two children though she is the mother of three.

"Being a mother of three children, the woman contested and won the sarpanch post on the basis of a false affidavit during Panchayat elections. We demand an investigation into the matter and want her to be expelled from the post," said Akash Pradhan, a local.

Sources said the team constituted to probe into the cheating has begun investigation.

Mahanga block BDO Subodh Acharya said, "After a complaint was lodged with the Collector, he directed the panchayat officers to look into it. The SDPO is investigating into the incident. Stern action will be taken if she is found guilty."