Tension grows between MLA Gokul Setia, Zila Parishad CEO over cleanliness in villages as it turns into caste dispute

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, August 21

A conflict between Sirsa MLA Gokul Setia and Dr Subhash Chandra, the District Council (Zila Parishad) CEO, has taken a caste-based turn. The dispute, which began over cleanliness issues in villages, has now involved community leaders and village representatives (sarpanches).

The District Sarpanch Association tried to mediate between the two, but failed to resolve differences between them. Sarpanches from the Kumhar community criticised the MLA’s behaviour. In response, the MLA accused them of supporting the CEO only because he belongs to their community. He also claimed that most sarpanches supporting the CEO were not from villages in the Sirsa constituency and the cleanliness conditions in his area were very poor.

The District Sarpanch Association held a meeting at Kumhar Dharamshala on Thursday, but could not resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the District Kumhar Sabha also criticised the MLA. Its president Kumbharam said it was wrong for the MLA to drag the Kumhar community into the matter. He warned that if the MLA continued making such remarks, the community would protest against him.

Prof Ramchandra Limba, national vice president, All India Prajapati Federation, defended CEO Subash Chandra, stating that he was assigned duty in Dabwali because the Deputy Commissioner was on leave. When the MLA called the CEO to apprise him about cleanliness, it was outside office hours, Prof Limba said. Even then, the CEO responded to his message and assigned duty to officials concerned, he said. Despite this, the MLA reportedly followed the CEO’s vehicle, which was considered inappropriate. Prof Limba said if there were corruption allegations against the CEO, a proper investigation should be conducted through the Vigilance Bureau.

Sarpanch association leaders, including Jaswinder Kang and others, said it was not the MLA’s job to look after village cleanliness rather it is duty of the sarpanches. They also claimed that the MLA was filing RTI applications against sarpanches who didn’t vote for him.

Responding to the allegations, MLA Gokul Setia told The Tribune that he was not a goon, but a public servant, chosen by the people to serve them. He said if officials shun responsibility or refuse to do public work, it was his duty to remind them of their job.

Setia claimed that the entire issue had been created by the CEO just to escape his responsibilities. The MLA said he represents all communities and had always worked for the people’s welfare. He said since the people elected him, he would continue to raise their issues.

He further alleged that the official concerned often makes excuses and avoid doing public work, even when called or contacted several times. According to Setia, now that the truth was out, the CEO was trying to hide behind his community to escape criticism. The MLA said he would not let the CEO run away from accountability.

Setia also claimed that the CEO was trying to use a few outsiders as a shield, but the people of Sirsa were now aware of everything and understood what was really going on in the constituency.