Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Oct 17:  Protesting against the action of the government in blocking the grants the taluk panchayats used to receive in the past, the Bantwal taluk panchayat administration took to a unique way of protest, by locking up the taluk office(TP) building here on Wednesday October 15.

As a result, the office staff of the taluk panchayat were stranded outside the office. The Bantwal MLA, whose office happens to be located in the TP building, could not reach his office. He said, that he would be available at the inspection bungalow for the present.

Even the staff of Akshara Dasoha scheme, whose office is in the same building, suffered due to the closing of the main door.

The TP members rue the fact that the importance of the TPs have been undermined, as various grants which were routed through them, are diverted. Grants under stamp duty, 12th finance scheme and NREG grants were being routed through the TPs in the past. Now, these funds directly reach the gram panchayats, diluting the importance of the TPs.

TP president Chandrahas Shetty Bolantoor, speaking about the problems being faced by the TPs, said that the TPs are now reduced to the status of a postman, as their powers have been clipped and their only work is to distribute funds received from the state government, to the gram panchayats.

The presidents and vice presidents of the taluk panchayats have taken up protests as per the instructions received from their state body. The president said, that the protest will continue for an indefinite period.