58 panchayats in Kutch refuse to hold gram sabhas

Coming under the banner of Anjar Gandhidham Gram Panchayat Pratinidhi Manch (AGGPPM),they have now submitted a memorandum to the Taluka Development Officers (TDOs) of Anjar and Gandhidham,as also Anjar Assistant Collector Banchhanidhi Pani.

Atu Dafda,AGGPPM president and also the sarpanch of Kidana village in Gandhidham said: “According to the Panchayat Act in force in the state,it is mandatory for every gram panchayat to hold a gram sabha every three months,which we have been doing for so many years. But it has become a mundane exercise,with none of the resolutions being passed,ever implemented on ground.”

Dhiru Parmar,a member of AGGPPM and the sarpanch of Lohariya village in Anjar said,the non-implementation of the resolutions is leading to clashes between the panchayat members. He said,“The villagers accuse us of non-performance,which leads to clashes.” He also alleged that there is seldom any officer from the district administration attending the gram sabhas in their district.

Haseena Raima,a member of the gram panchayat of Budharmora village in Anjar and the vice-president of AGGPPM said: “ Anjar and Gandhidham were to hold gram sabhas between August 17 and 28. Now we will not hold any sabhas till August 28.”

AGGPPM also complained that the district administration has not initiated any steps to diffuse the crisis.

Elsewhere,Rajkumar Bannival,District Development Officer,Kutch,denied that such a boycott is taking place in his district.

Pani,meanwhile,said: “Yes,these gram panchayats have approached us with their grievances and have informed us of their boycott. It’s wrong to say that the district administration is not attending the gram sabhas. The cancellation of gram sabhas is un-Constitutional.”

He said he will take up the matter with the TDOs of Anjar and Gandhidham. “I will personally look into the matter,” he added.