With the State Government taking no measures to address their grievances, a large number of sarpanches under the banner of the Odisha Sarpanch Mahasangha on Wednesday gheraoed the residence of Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo here demanding fulfilment of their eight-point charter of demands.
In August last too, the sarpanches had staged a demonstration in front of the State Assembly pressing their demands.
The sarpanches have mainly been demanding abolition of the provisions of motion of confidence against them, hike in their monthly incentive from Rs1,500 to Rs5,000 and a provision of monthly pension of Rs1,000.
They also submitted a memorandum to the department Minister and the Chief Minister seeking their intervention in the issues at the earliest.
They said the association had earlier submitted their demands, but nothing tangible has happened as yet, forcing them to resume their protest.
“If the Government fails to address our grievances at the earliest, we will be forced to intensify our agitation,” they threatened.