N & M Correspondent
Sivapuram, Apr 15: PRI members of Sivapuram Panchayat have threatened to resign en mass if works proposed by the Gram Sabha meeting are not cleared by the Technical Wing of N & M Zilla Parishad.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the PRI members of Sivapuram Panchayat alleged that the technical wing of N & M Andaman, Zilla Parishad is dictating terms over the PRI members and are not giving clearances to projects, which are proposed during Gram Sabha meetings.
The Press Conference was jointly addressed by Panchayat Samity Member Smti Ashrita Dung Dung ,Up Pradhan Smti. Kumudini Kerketta and the Sarpanch of Sivapuram Panchayat, Mr. V.S. Sarvana.
“We are public representatives and we know the problems of general public. But the technical wings want to sanction works, which are on their priority list. This is not Panchayati Raj System but is Officers’ Raj System,” Up Pradhan of Sivapuram Panchayat, Smti. Kumudini Kerketta said.
Smti. Ashrita Dung Dung, Sarpanch Mr. V.S. Sarvana and other PRI members alleged that situation is same in all the Panchayats of N & M Andaman.
The PRI members also demanded CBI inquiry against some staffs and officers of Zilla Parishad and Rural Department, who have gathered huge properties in last few years.
Eleven PRI members who were present during the Press Conference said that they have placed a note before the Pradhan and urged him to take early steps to settle the issue after taking to Administration. “If the Administration does not take any action within 10 days, we all will resign en mass,” the PRI members said collectively.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha later in the evening the Pradhan of Sivapuram Panchayat Mr. Arshed Waseem said that many other Pradhans of nearby village are also facing the same problem. “It seems that setting up of Assembly is the only solution to this problem as Panchayati Raj has become Officers’ Raj in Andaman,” Waseem added.
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