A woman Sarpanch has filed a petition before the District Collector and the State Women Commissioner against her husband for harassing and torturing her and meddling in her works. She alleged that her husband had been misutilising her power as sarpanch.
According to official sources, Minati Nayak, sarpanch of Alailo gram panchayat under Mahakalapada police limits filed a petition against her husband Amiya Kumar Nayak, alleging that though the people of her Gram Panchayat elected her as sarpanch, yet she has never got an opportunity to go to the panchayat office or attend a Panchayat meeting.
Instead, her husband Amiya forcibly sat in her office and enjoyed all her powers. He also never hesitated to do illegal works and resort to corruption.
Sources said Amiya in past had filed nomination papers for sarpanch post from Alailo panchayat, but had not won the polls. On the other hand, when her wife won the sarpanch post, he arrogated all powers upon himself and scolded and assaulted her wife when the latter protested.
Minati said she is not allowed to meet her people and hear their grievances. Even her husband forges her signature, when it is required for various works. She said her husband has stooped so low that he even collects money in lieu of providing her seal and pad.
She said her husband with the help of some village touts managed to do sub standard works in all projects undertaken in the panchayat and looted the Government money. If she raised her voice, her husband often threatened to divorce her. She said she was being confined to the four walls of her house and never allowed to move outside. She urged the district administration and the SWC to provide her justice. She also threatened to resign if no action was taken on his petition.
District Collector Niranjan Nayak said he has directed District Panchayat Officer (DPO) Chakradhar Mahalik to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report. After getting the report, necessary action would be initiated against the spouse of the sarpanch, he assured.
Meanwhile, in an about-turn, Minati and Amiya on Friday met the District Collector and District Panchayat Officer. Minati said that she never filed such a petition against her spouse. Neither the handwriting of the petition belonged to her, nor the signature in the petition, she clarified.
On the contrary, she said her opponents did all this to tarnish her image. The duo appealed the District Collector to conduct the probe and take action against the person(s) who have started the vilification campaign against her.