Sarpanches call off stir after meeting CM, to attend camps

Jaipur: Rajasthan Sarpanch Sangh has decided to call off the monthlong protests by sarpanches after a delegation of its representatives met Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence on Saturday morning.
The sangh said most of their demands have been agreed upon and that the chief minister was given the assurance that the sarpanches would attend the mahangai rahat camps to provide relief to people in the villages.
Rafique Pathan, the chief spokesperson of the sangh, said development grants of both central and state governments amounting to Rs 4,033 crore would be released soon. A delegation of the sangh, including Bansidhar Garhwal, Nemichand Meena, Roshan Ali and Sanjay Nehra, held talks with the CM on Saturday.
“The state government has already released Rs 1,200 crore, and Rs 800 crore will be deposited in the accounts of the panchayats by the end of May. In addition to this, Rs 1,000 crore will be released in June, and the remaining amount will be released in July,” said Pathan.
“The outstanding payment of MGNREGS will be given to the panchayats as soon as it comes from the Centre. The state government has requested the central government on this, and it is likely to come in June,” he said, adding that the recruitment of junior engineers to 546 posts in the panchayati raj department is under process.