Phagwara panchayats give 10-day ultimatum over BDPO office hall

Panchayats of Block Phagwara on Monday issued a 10-day ultimatum to the authorities to begin construction of a hall at the BDPO office otherwise an agitation would be launched.

The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of panchayats held at the local BDPO office, where the issue of inadequate seating arrangements for sarpanchs and panchs visiting the office was discussed.

Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Narendra Singh, Sarpanch of Madhopur, Ranjit Ram Kaler, Sarpanch of Nangal Majha, Kulwinder Singh Kala, Sarpanch of Athouli, and Agiyapal Singh, Panch of Khalwara, alleged that despite the department having a fund of Rs 15 lakh for the construction of the hall, the work has not been initiated so far. The delay has triggered widespread resentment among sarpanchs and panchs of the block.

Representatives stated that during the scorching summer season, sarpanchs and panchs visiting the BDPO office for village development-related works are forced to face inconvenience due to the absence of proper seating arrangements. They alleged that on many occasions, the officials concerned are not present in the office and visitors are left waiting for long hours without any place to sit.

They further claimed that whenever the issue is raised with the officials, the matter is repeatedly ignored. The office also lacks proper facilities for drinking water and clean washrooms, causing additional hardships to visitors.

Issuing a stern warning, the panchayat representatives said if construction work on the proposed hall is not started within 10 days, they would launch a protest movement against the department and administration.

Among those present during the meeting included Balvir Chand, Sarpanch of Jagpalpur, Kulwant Kaur, Sarpanch of Dhandoli, Kuldeep Kaur, Sarpanch of Khalwara, Hardeep Kaur, Sarpanch of Nihalgarh, Kulwinder Kaur, Sarpanch of Khangura, Surjit Kaur, Sarpanch of Narangpur, Parmjit Kaur, Sarpanch of Deva Singh Wala, Tajinder Pal Singh, Sarpanch of Sangatpur, Gurshinder Singh, Sarpanch of Rehana Jattan, Vijay Kumar, Sarpanch of Dhakk Pandori, Surinder Singh, Sarpanch of Khalwara Colony, Kuldeep Kumar, Sarpanch of Jagatpur Jattan, along with Ram Murti and Satpal Satti of Dhakk Pandori village.