John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, July 31: As India celebrates Amrit Kal, staffs of Gram Panchayat Laxmipur, under Diglipur Tehsil, are forced to toil under a leaking roof due to the dilapidated condition of the Panchayat Bhavan. The situation took a turn for the worse as heavy rains lashed the Diglipur area for the past few days, leading to water seeping into the building.
The sorry state of affairs at the Panchayat Bhavan came to light when water continued to drip from the ceiling, indicating the precarious condition of the roof. The roof was in such a deteriorated state that it could collapse at any moment, posing a grave risk to the safety of those inside.
Mr. Sujan Das, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Laxmipur, expressed his frustration over the situation, stating that the Panchayat Bhavan is in a deplorable state and could aptly be called the ‘Leak Bhavan.’
He highlighted that with every rainfall, water inundates the lobby area, forming puddles on the floor. This is not an isolated incident, as similar occurrences have taken place in the past, including last year.
The renovation of the Panchayat Bhavan commenced two months ago, but to their dismay, the work remains incomplete. The Pradhan explained that during the renovation, the contractor and workers were diverted to other areas under the pretext of completing important tasks, leading to the delay in the restoration work.
Consequently, the villagers are now facing considerable inconvenience as they approach the Panchayat for their grievances and work, only to find the place in a state of disarray due to the persistent leakages.
Mr. Sujan Das stressed that they have made repeated appeals to the Administration to take necessary action, acknowledging that funds have been allocated for the renovation. However, the work is yet to be carried out, leaving the Panchayat Bhavan in an appalling condition.
It is imperative that the concerned authorities promptly address this critical issue and expedite the renovation process to ensure the safety and well-being of those who work at and visit the Gram Panchayat Laxmipur. The welfare of the villagers, as well as the smooth functioning of the Panchayat, relies on the timely resolution of this pressing matter.
Meanwhile the officials of Engineering wind of Rural Development Department were unreachable for any comment in this regard.
