John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Feb 08: Villagers of Kharanallah Ward No.01, under Sundergarh Panchayat, Baratang Island today decided to boycott upcoming Panchayat elections as their long pending demand of construction of road in their area has not been fulfilled yet. They also had grievances regarding water and electricity supply.
It is learnt that yesterday a group of villagers in Kharanallah gathered and after a brief discussion they took this decision.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Mr. Biju Gurudasan, the former Pradhan of Sundergarh Panchayat said that when they got the information that villagers are planning to boycott the election, he went to the village along with Mr. G Kurma Rao, former ex-Zilla Parishad Member and discussed the matter with villagers.
Later the matter was taken up with the Secretary RD & Director of Panchayat and Municipal Elections, Mr. Suneel Anchipaka. The Secretary RD & DPME spoke to the villagers over phone at around 8.00 PM and heard their grievances. He informed the villagers that the road has been included under special finance assistance and codal formalities will be completed once the Model Code of Conduct is over. Due to the prompt response of the Secretary RD & Director of Panchayat and Municipal Elections the villagers were convinced to cast their votes in the coming elections.
