Hundreds of people of Bhainsadani GP of Nuapada district are sitting in a dharna in front of the panchayat office pressing for fulfilment of with a 20-point charter of demands since November 25.
“We will sit here indefinitely until our demands are fulfilled,” said an agitator. The agitators have already submitted their memorandum to the BDO of Boden on the fourth day of their demonstration but are yet to get an assurance from the district administration for its intervention.
“The BDO said he would send the memorandum to the Collector, but there is no message since then,” informed the villagers. Most of the demands of the people are related to their basic livelihoods like provision of drinking water, ration cards to poor households, small check-dams, road connectivity to remote villages, a banking kiosk in the GP headquarters and action against corruption.
“Crores of rupees are being spent under different schemes, but our panchayat is given last preference,” rued the people.
The District Planning Committee has passed a budget of about Rs 31.15 crore under the Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana for the year 2016-17, but the panchayat has received the least amount and a major portion is for concrete roads. “Our suggestions are hardly accepted. The panchayat’s planning process is dominated by powerful leaders. Our priority is water, but they sanction CC roads,” the villagers complained.
An analysis of the district budget for the GGY shows that more than 83 per cent has been earmarked for roads, leaving a meagre 13 per cent for water.
“The main objective of the GGY is to benefit the political leaders and their workers,” alleged the villagers.