28 Adampur block sarpanches mull giving up charge

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, May 24

As many as 28 newly elected sarpanches of the Adampur block in the district have offered to give up their charge alleging lack of financial power to undertake development works. They said they had been rendered helpless by the guidelines of the state government, which refrain them from spending on development works in their villages.

The sarpanches said even after five months, they were unable to do anything and the villagers had been pressuring them to start development activities. “We are not in a position to change even a defected electricity tube of the streetlight. The procedure has become so complex that even for spending Rs 100, we have to get clearance from three officials,” said Subhash Chander, sarpanch, Mandi Adampur village.

They said though the panchayats had funds, they could not spend a penny until clearance from the sub-divisional officer and junior engineer. The block development office’s written approval is also necessary. “The government wants the sarpanches to promote yoga, ensure their presence in government rallies and attend training programmes, but our priority is development,” said Chander.

They said they had to face brickbats from voters who elected them in lieu of promises of constructing streets, providing potable water or ensuring cleanliness in their surroundings.

Chander Shekhar, sarpanch, Sadalpur village, said they had been complying with the directions issued to them, but had no powers to fulfil the promises made to the villagers. “I have been making rounds of the offices for the last one month to get the MNREGS work started in my village. But this scheme is languishing in the absence of clearance from the district authorities,” he said. Dalip Singh, sarpanch, Dharoli village, who led the delegation to meet the Deputy Commissioner today, said they would have no option but to give up the charge of the sarpanch under such conditions.

Suraj Bhan, district development panchayat officer (DDPO), who met the sarpanches and assured them speedy clearance from the district authorities, said most of the sarpanches were first-timers and needed to learn about the procedure to get things done. “We have been cooperating with them and soon they would get requisite clearances,” he said.