Jaipur : Sarpanches have started a movement demanding holding of elections when the tenure of Jaipur Gram Panchayats and Panchayati Raj institutions ends in January and extension of tenure in case of delay in elections. Sarpanches of the state will unite against the government in Jaipur on 6th December. Officials of Sarpanch Sangh in Jaipur organized a meeting on Monday regarding the movement and prepared the further outline. National Sarpanch Union President Jairam Palsania and Sarpanch Union Rajasthan President Banshidhar Garhwal said that Sarpanches across the state are making two demands from the state government, the first of which is to hold elections and in case of no elections, do not appoint an administrator and give the responsibility to the Sarpanches. The second demand is that the outstanding budget of Panchayats should be released and used in development works. He told that a memorandum has been given to the ministers regarding the demands of the sarpanches. If the government does not accept the demands, the movement will be aggressive in the coming days.
He said that he asked for an appointment with the Chief Minister but has not been given yet. If talks take place before December 6, the movement will be postponed. He said that the Commission has to start preparations well in advance for the elections, many tasks like holding lottery as per reservation, releasing the voter list etc. are done. Only if the Commission starts work from now, Panchayat elections can be held on time.
Even the previous government had not given the budget
Palsaniyan said that the government is outstanding in the State Finance Commission budget and Rs 4200 crore NREGA budget for two years. The demands of the Sarpanches were ignored even in the previous government. Amount of material, FFC is outstanding. Panchayats do not have money for honorarium. The previous government spent the budget on mobiles. In this government the budget is being used for other items. Also, it was said that this good work will be supported by Rising Rajasthan and will not be opposed.
