Residents boycott government event as officials keep mum on Rs 26 lakh tree plantation drive

COIMBATORE: A section of Pichanur residents boycotted the government awareness programme on Jal Shakthi Abhiyan on Saturday and staged a novel protest by covering their mouths with black clothes as panchayat officials refused to give any explanation to the “failed” tree plantation drive that was carried out at a cost of Rs 26 lakh. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a campaign for water conservation and water security.
This was the third government function to be boycotted by the residents of Pichanur village in Madukkarai panchayat union.
The panchayat officials, however, said barring a few, all the villagers had turned up for the meeting. G Kathirvel, a local resident, said the village panchayat had spent Rs 26 lakh for the tree plantation programme in 2017-18 and 2018-19. “But not a single tree, which is planted under the programme, could be found in the village. We have been seeking an explanation from the officials, but in vain. As the officials haven’t yet provided an explanation to our queries, we have decided to boycott all the government meetings and functions.” According to him, more than 50 residents participated in the protest.
Pointing out that they had boycotted the gram sabha meeting that was held on August 15, Kathirvel said, “The officials, however, submitted a report saying the meeting took place without any disturbance. The officials have also lodged police complaint against the people, who have raised questions against them.”
When contacted, an official attached to the office of block development officer said all the meetings were being conducted as scheduled with the public participation. “Some people have refused to attend the meeting to politicize the issue.”