Gram Pradhans of various villages and other Panchayat members in Joshimath staged a protest demonstration against the Government decision to alter the system of funding of Gram Panchayats through the State Finance Commission.
The protesting Panchayat members locked down the development block office in protest here on Monday.
The protesting Gram Pradhans alleged issuance of an order by the State Government to this effect will render the Gram Panchayats bereft of any authority. The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Harish Rawat through the Sub Divisional Magistrate demanding that the State Finance Commission instalments be provided to the Gram Panchayats as in the past.
It is pertinent to mention here that as per the Government order issued in the recent past by the Uttarakhand State administration, the money received by Gram Panchayats from the State Finance Commission would be given to some other Panchayati Raj institution.
In the memorandum to the CM, they demanded the State Finance instalments be given to the Gram Panchayats as done in the past. And they said the full amount under the 14th Finance Commission should be given to the Gram Panchayats. The Joshimath Post Office should be made CBS enabled so as to ensure timely disbursal of social security scheme and MNREGA wages.
leading the Gram Pradhan organisation here, lakshman Singh Negi warned they will be forced to intensify their protest if the Government failed to meet their demand soon.
Pradhans and Panchayat members stressed that the Gram Panchayat was the fundamental unit of a democracy.