Pune : The recently held Gram Sabha in Bhigwan, which had been previously postponed, witnessed intense drama as local residents fiercely questioned the ruling party representatives and administration officials. The primary point of contention was the poor implementation of the Chief Minister’s Samruddha Panchayat Raj Campaign, where the Gram Panchayat officer and the ruling leaders struggled to provide coherent explanations for their lack of progress.
Intense Questioning Over the Chief Minister’s Development Campaign
The state government’s Rural Development Department launched the ambitious Samruddha Panchayat Raj Campaign to ensure streamlined public services, yet the local administration appeared completely unprepared. This campaign mandates the provision of online government services, effective grievance redressal, the creation of a dedicated Gram Panchayat website, and the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the village. Furthermore, it focuses on issuing Ayushman Bharat cards to eligible beneficiaries while improving health, education, and livelihood standards. However, when Gram Panchayat Officer Dattatray Pardeshi and the ruling members were asked about the progress of these initiatives during the meeting, they remained speechless, leading villagers to conclude that the campaign had been entirely ignored by the local body.
Allegations of Administrative Negligence and Irregularities
Serious accusations were leveled against Officer Dattatray Pardeshi by citizens including Kapil Landge, Ajay Bhise, and Suraj Khatke. The residents expressed deep frustration over the officer’s habitual absence from the office during working hours and his failure to answer phone calls or follow up on essential public works. Additional allegations were made regarding the shielding of illegal activities and a general sense of apathy toward official duties. Although Mr. Pardeshi attempted to deflect these concerns with vague explanations, his efforts did little to pacify the agitated crowd.
Failure to Address Stray Dog Menace and Basic Infrastructure Needs
The meeting also highlighted the growing danger posed by stray dogs in the village, a topic that remained unresolved despite being discussed in the previous Gram Sabha. Professor Tushar Kshirsagar took a firm stand, stating that if the Gram Panchayat is unable to manage the threat, the villagers would have to take matters into their own hands. Beyond the stray dog issue, the ruling party was unable to answer questions regarding the installation of an old pipeline at Bhigwan station, clogged drainage systems, deteriorating road conditions, and increasing encroachments.
Controversy Surrounding Special Status for Mangaldrishti Society
A significant debate erupted when Advocate Suraj Khatke pointed out that the Mangaldrishti Society was being charged lower water taxes compared to the rest of the village. Officer Pardeshi justified this by explaining that the society’s water tank is utilized to supply water to the entire village. However, Advocate Khatke argued that maintaining different water tax rates within the same village is inherently unjust and discriminatory toward other residents. The meeting eventually concluded with Sarpanch Gurappa Pawar thanking the attendees, though many concerns remained unaddressed.
