Chhattisgarh: 27 sarpanches claim development works not sanctioned in Antagarh, resign

Twenty-seven village panchayat heads in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district resigned, citing the administration's failure to sanction development projects and release funds in their areas.

Heads of 27 village panchayats in Antagarh block of Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Wednesday resigned, alleging that development works have not been sanctioned in their areas, officials said.

The Local Panchayat Members Association, however, claimed that sarpanches of all 56 gram panchayats in the block, along with a Zila Panchayat member, have tendered their resignations in protest.

Additional Collector of the Antagarh area confirmed that 27 sarpanches have submitted their resignations to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

The sarpanches have been staging an indefinite dharna at Golden Chowk in Antagarh since May 18, demanding approval of rural development works and release of funds.

The elected village heads alleged that the administration had failed to sanction even a single development project in their panchayats over the past year, leaving them unable to fulfil promises made to villagers.

''We struggle to answer when villagers ask us about the development work carried out by us. Without funds and work approvals, we are completely unable to run the panchayats,'' said Guptesh Usendi, a Kanker Zila Panchayat member from Antagarh area.

He said development works in rural areas had virtually stopped for the past year, prompting the collective resignation.

''When there is no work, there is no point in continuing in office. People elected us with expectations and now question us over the lack of development. All 56 sarpanches of the block and I have submitted our resignations,'' he said.

Manju Lata Gavde, Sarpanch of Lamkanhar village panchayat, said the sarpanches had also staged a protest last year when the administration assured them that works would be approved within 15 days, but no action followed.

''Several months have passed, yet no development work has started. Villagers blame us for inaction, but without funds, how can we carry out development works?'' she said.

Pramila Nag, Sarpanch of Kalgaon village panchayat, said the Sarpanches were ''helpless'' and compelled to resign due to the absence of basic facilities in villages.

''There is no electricity, water or roads in many areas. Anganwadi centres remain waterlogged during the rains. Even after sending proposals repeatedly, no funds were released,'' she alleged.

Additional Collector of the Antagarh area, Anjor Singh Paikra, said that 27 sarpanches had submitted their resignations to the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

''The resignations have been received, and senior officials will be informed. Further action will be taken as per their directions,'' he said.