Rakesh Kunjoor
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (VM)

Udupi, Aug 15: Due to the absence of majority of the officials in the gram panchayat meeting, angered locals stalled the Hejamadi panchayat meeting here on Monday August 13.

Out of 32 departments in Hejamadi gram panchayat, around eight officers belonging to health department, food department, veterinary, child welfare and education were present.

Officials of prime departments like Mescom, forest, police officers were said to be absent which angered the locals and thus, they cancelled the meeting.

“Officials whose main duty is to solve people’s problem are absent for the meeting which shows negligence. Officers who cannot perform their duties should give mass resignation,” said Shekar Hejamadi.

Villagers expressed their sorrows that the panchayat has failed in its duties to provide facilities like street lights, proper roads and other basis necessities. “Only tax from the public is collected on time,” they added.

“A gram panchayat which does not respond to people’s needs is not fit to be operated and thus we will hold a protest by seizing panchayat office,” said the locals.

Varadhaksi Salian, president, walked out of the meeting hall by boycotting the officials and gram panchayat.

Vasanth Shetty, nodal and education officer, BB Rao from Padubidri primary health center, Sadhashiv Shetty from food department, Prathiba Kudthadka, development officer and Raghupathi, Sachin Nayak were present among the others.