‘ZP, Block Samiti toothless tigers’

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 16

Calling the members of Zila Parishad and Block Samiti toothless tigers, villagers across the district feel that holding Panchayati Raj elections was nothing but sheer wastage of funds.

They are of the opinion that members should be nominated instead of being elected.

Bhartiya Kisan Union general secretary HS Lakhowal said these elections were a burden on the system. “There is no point in holding elections and the members should instead be nominated. They have no powers with them and can do nothing for the welfare of villages,” Lakhowal said.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, another farmer leader, said this was wastage of public funds. “The elected members do not even know what duties they have to perform and they have no say in the policy matters and are not even aware of their responsibilities and duties,” he said.

All works are executed by the Block Development Officers and the elected Zila Parishad members cannot even induct local farmers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). “If they are unable to perform basic functions, then what is the use of electing them?” he asked. Gursewak Singh, a farmer from Bondli village, said: “Sarpanch does have some role to play at the village level, but Zila Parishad members fail to deliver anything. I will definitely vote for my favourite party otherwise I do not think these members are of any use.”