25 Sarpanchs from Pulwama mulling to resign, officials say ‘technical problem in administering oath to them

Mudassir Maqbool

Pulwama: After three months Panchayat Elections in J&K 25 elected Sarpanchs are yet to take oath of responsibility in Pulwama district in South Kashmir.

Leader of these Sarpanchs Sajid Ahmad Raina told that while all the elected Sarpanchs & Panchs had oath taking ceremonies and were imparted training by the government, two dozens of elected people have been left ‘helpless’.

“We had put our lives at risk to contest the polls and this is what we have got in return. All the risks we took, put our families in danger has been proven waste by the governments callous attitude towards us,” Sajid said.

According to district administration officials Elected Sarpanchs without Panchs in halqa wards are not legally eligible for oath and other processes.

“Unfortunately we have no Panchs of our Halqas,” Sajid accepted, however complained that given the same situation, in other districts like Shopian Sarpanchs were administered oath.

They accused government of deliberately ‘playing with their lives’ by not informing them in advance about the issues related to it.

“The district administration knew who has applied and were none has apllied. They should have told us that you cannot be administered oath and cannot work without Panchs. They deliberately hide facts,” the leaders said.

RDD (Rural development department) officials, wishing to anonymity, said that they have already taken up the issue with the higher ups.

“We have communicated it to Law Department as well. We are waiting for their response,” the official said.

“We have already submitted our demands to Governor through grievance cell and to Div Com’s office in past but to no avail. We would urge them to look in to the matter,” they said.

They leaders said that if the stalemate does not end soon they will have no recourse left but to come on roads protesting against the government.

“Will resign soon and all the responsibility of consequences will be on Government itself,” they said.

They urged DC Pulwama, Syed Abid Rasheed, to personally look into the matter.