Unhappy over lack of development in their village, panchayats across Gujarat will launch an agitation against the state government in Gandhinagar. The first convention of the agitation will be held on February 18. The convention will be held under the banner of Sarpanch Ekta Maha Sammelan.
The demands include an honorarium of Rs 25,000 to village heads (Sarpanch) like elected representatives in urban bodies, scraping the rule of a no-confidence motion against Sarpanch, more power to Sarpanch including grants of development work within the village, etc.
The BJP government in state is struggling to address the agrarian crisis and pacify rural voters, but the village bodies are in the mood to lock the horns with state government, a source told DNA, adding that it could have repercussions on LS polls. The budget session of the Gujarat assembly is also scheduled to begin on the same day.
Convener of the outfit Deepak Parmar said, "Elected representatives from more than 14,000 village panchayats will gather here for a convention. We are going to launch the agitation for the right that we deserve. We are not bagging before the government. We will meet the Governor, Chief Minister and leader of the opposition with our demands."
"Currently, the sarpanch has very less power and more powers are with talati who is a government employee. Moreover, sarpanch becomes a victim of political vendetta or casteism and is removed with a no-confidence motion. This makes the village body unstable and development work in villages are hindered," Parmar added.
The sarpanch is also going to put their demand to give them powers for development work of Rs 50,000 or more and to withdraw money from funds of village.