Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 2: Udyavar gram panchayat members, on Tuesday August 2, staged a protest in front of panchayat office condemning the attitude of panchayat president in taking unilateral decision on various issues.
A panchayat meeting had been called on Thursday July 14 to prepare an action plan related to the 14th finance commission and other subjects. But BJP panchayat members alleged that the president on her own convened a meeting with Congress supported members and took decisions favouring them.
On the request of BJP supported members, a special meeting was called on Monday, August 1.
According to the guidelines of the 14th finance commission, panchayat members can keep reserve of 25% funds for construction works but there is no such specification in the guidelines prepared by the present report said protesters.
A reserve of 25% of fund is kept for other works which is supposed to be used for the development of every ward.
The protesters said, “The panchayat has received Rs 30 lacs of funds but the president is discriminating in distributing funds. This has impeded many development works.”
Panchayat president, Sugandhi Shekar, in her clarification said, “The protest was politically motivated. Every decision was taken in the presence of 29 members of panchayat. The action plan was prepared and documented as per the circular of concerned department.”
She added, “BJP supported members pressurized me and submitted a written memorandum to call for another meeting to make changes in the action plan. There is no such provision in the circular to bring changes in the plan for six months.”
Alleging political conspiracy, she said, “There is a political conspiracy behind it. Rs 5 lac had been reserved to build water purification unit. Considering the problem, one of the zilla panchayat members submitted a proposal which was approved.”
“The BJP members should not play political game in pro-people activities. They should concentrate on developmental task,” she added.