look news india
Chandigarh: For the first time in the history of Panchayat elections in Punjab, the trend of bidding to become Sarpanch by consensus has increased in villages. The matter of bidding up to Rs 2 crore to become Sarpanch in village Hardowal Kalan of Dera Baba Nanak assembly constituency is making headlines. The opposition has also started bidding to become the head (Sarpanch) of Panchayat, the smallest unit of democracy. Earlier, the bid for the post of Sarpanch in Panchayat Kothe Chidewali of village Kotli of Giddarbaha assembly constituency of district Sri Muktsar Sahib had reached Rs 35 lakh. Speculation has intensified regarding the offer of such a huge amount to become Sarpanch.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to unanimously elected panchayats for building a school or hospital project in the village. In the monsoon session, the government has amended the Panchayati Raj Act that no person will be able to contest elections on the election symbol of any party, but on the contrary, there have been reports of large-scale bidding for consensus in many villages.
On the other hand, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Choudhary says that he has received information about bidding for Sarpanchi through internet media, but till now the Commission has not received any complaint in this regard. It is noteworthy that elections for 13,237 gram panchayats in Punjab are to be held on October 15.
Panchayat Union Punjab President Tarsem Singh Gandho says that bidding for the election of Sarpanch is against democracy. He said that some capitalists are bidding lakhs and crores of rupees to grab the important post of Sarpanchi. He said that the election of Sarpanch and Panchayat in villages should be done unanimously, but bidding crores of rupees in the name of consensus is not only against democracy but also promotes corruption. He said that if influential people in villages become Sarpanch on the basis of money, then the common people of the village will never get a chance to become Sarpanch.
Gandho has appealed to the Punjab Government, Panchayat Department, Punjab State Election Commission and Income Tax Department to investigate the sources of income of those who have tried to buy the post of Sarpanch to tarnish democracy. He has appealed to the people of the villages to come forward themselves to stop such dangerous practice of election of Sarpanchi. He said that the educated and intelligent people of Punjab should come forward to stop the practice of bidding for the election of Sarpanch in villages so that common people can also get a chance to become Sarpanch.
At the same time, two days ago, a bid of Rs 35 lakh was made for the election of Sarpanch in village Kotli of village Giddarbaha of Shri Muktsar Sahib. Jasmail Singh, who made the highest bid of Rs 35 lakh, was elected Sarpanch. Sarpanch Jasmail Singh said that his election was unanimous, the question of bidding does not arise. The Deputy Commissioner has started investigating the matter. The special thing is that the bid is being placed on the basis that the money will be spent on the development of the Panchayat.