Prompt resolution of issues by leaders villagers’ priority

This time around, residents of various villages expect quick resolutions to their problems from their sarpanch candidates. They want their leaders to be available to address their grievances round the clock.

Village residents said they do not wish their sarpanch to be extraordinary; however, their leaders should be resourceful enough to help villagers in case of any emergency — a natural calamity or a mishap.

They believe that a sarpanch is a single point of contact between the administration and the village as a unit.

Darshan Singh, a resident of Chhanna village, said only those individuals should come forward to contest the election for the post of sarpanch who would be able to take up problems of the village with authorities in administration and the state government.

He said, “Unlike the common notion that sarpanches or panches are arbitrators for petty disputes among villagers, office-bearers and members of a gram panchayat are supposed to act as the head of the locality and own responsibility for various functions and activities.” He added projects of waterworks and expansion of government schools could be possible at the village due to the coordination of the former sarpanch with the state government officials.

Balwinder Singh Ballu, a resident of Jandali Khurad, said a sarpanch should be able to advocate for the rights of common people when they are required to visit various offices to get their work done.

He said, “A sarpanch should have fair knowledge about the functioning of various departments, including banks, post offices, insurance companies, and educational institutes, so that he can guide the residents about procedures to avail themselves of services at these offices.”

Hakam Singh Ranu, a former sarpanch, said after being elected, a candidate should treat all villagers equally and development works should be undertaken without discrimination on the basis of political associations.

He said, “While the sarpanch and other members of the panchayat should be free to remain associated with any political party, he should perform his duty as representative of the village. The sarpanch should remain associated with officials of the Centre and state government so that development and welfare schemes are implemented at the village without hassle.”

Candidates should be well connected

The candidate we select as sarpanch should be associated with officials of the Centre and state government so that development and welfare schemes are implemented at the village without hassle.

— Hakam Singh Ranu, former sarpanch