Dalits warn against auction of reserved land in Sangrur

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 24

There is tension in Dhandiwal village as Dalits have announced to oppose the proposed auction of the reserved village common land on Tuesday as Panchayat Department officers have refused to approve their resolution, passed in the gram sabha on June 19 to give the reserved land to them for 33 years on annual lease.

District Development and Panchayat Officer Narbhinder Singh said in the absence of the sarpanch and panchayat members, the sabha could not pass any resolution.

But Karnail Singh Jakhepal, a leader of the Pind Bachao Punjab Bachao organisation, said the sabha had the right to pass the resolution, even in the absence of sarpanch and panchayat members.

“If villagers call the gram sabha as per legal procedure, it can pass any resolution for the development of village, even in the absence of panchayat members,” he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Subhash Chander said, “I will look into the issue.”