Odisha: Woman sarpanch found begging on roads
The district administration of Ganjam swung into action on Sunday after a video footage of a woman Sarpanch went viral in social media platforms. In the video clip the woman Sarapanch of Badapalli gram panchayat under Khalikote block — Hema Nayak (72) — is seen moving from door to door, seeking alms.
The district administration reached to Hema and provided him `10,000 from the Red Cross fund, winter clothes and ration items. Besides, she was assured of other benefits under various welfare measures of the state government.
A few days ago, Hema was seen sharing the dais with local MLA Suryamani Baidya at an event where Smart Health Cards (SHC) under the state government’s Biju Swasthya Yojana were distributed among the beneficiaries.
When asked about the day-to-day gram panchayat work, her reply was rather shocking. “I did not know anything until today. Now, I am getting to know something about my position...” was the answer by the “not-soeducated” tribal woman.
Hema’s answer has brought to the fore utter incongruity in the seat reservation system.
In 2017 panchayat polls, the seat of Sarapanch of Badapalli gram panchayat was reserved for tribal women. Since her family was the only tribal family in the panchayat and she was the only lady meeting the criteria to get elected to the post, the position automatically went to her unopposed.
The local residents alleged that some people took advantage of Hema's ignorance about the panchayat works and misappropriated huge funds.
“Despite being the Sarpanch of a gram panchayat, she knows nothing about how things are going on. Cashing in on it, many from top to bottom, including senior officers of the local block office, are misappropriating the money meant for the panchayat's development,” alleged Seemanchal Behera, a local resident.
When asked, Khalikote block development officer (BDO) Mitali Patra said the allegation of the Sarpanch begging is baseless. “She is not so educated to handle the day to day works of the Panchayat office. She always depends on her husband and son to do work on her behalf,” observed Ms Patra.