Over 5,000 Sarpanches Protesting in Odisha Capital, Scuffle With Police Enroute Naveen Niwas

Bhubaneswar: More than 5,000 Sarpanches from across Odisha had a scuffle with police on Monday as they were stopped from marching towards Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar.

The Sarpanches, united under the banner of Sarpanch Mahasangh, have gathered in the state capital to stage a demonstration demanding pay hike and more powers to Gram Panchayats.

They took out a rally from Master Canteen and were going towards the CM’s residence when they were stopped by the police near Shishu Bhawan Chhaka which led to a scuffle.

Following the brawl, many Sarpanches were taken into custody by the police.

“We were marching peacefully towards Naveen Niwas but the police have taken away some of the  Sarpanches. Officer Raaj is going on in the state. The government should know you are insulting Sarpanches selected by the people. If a Sarpanch is determined, forget any leader, not even an officer can reach the village,” said a protesting woman Sarpanch.

The Sarpanches are demanding more power for the Gram Panchayats, a hike in their monthly salary and retirement allowance.

“We are working like bonded labourers with a salary of a meager Rs 2,300. The fund allocated to us have remained the same since the last Census in 2011,” told a Sarpanch to media.

The Sarpanches allege that their powers have been curtailed and most of the government projects are being implemented by block-level officers without their knowledge.

“Give back panchayats their powers. We are not able to implement any development project,” shouted the Sarpanches in unison from inside the van while they were being taken away by police.

It may be recalled that the Sarpanches had taken to the streets in September last year seeking fulfillment of their 15-point charter of demands.