PONDA: The sarpanchas of Ponda Taluka on Friday demanded that the government should appoint them as the administrators and not government officials if the panchayat elections are postponed. Some sarpanchas said that they are in favour of early elections, but if the government postpones the polls and appoint the government officials as administrators it will cause great hardship to locals, especially during monsoon disasters, floods etc.
According to the sarpanchas, the administrator will have no proper knowledge about the panchayat affairs and if any official is appointed then it would be difficult for him to solve or resolve the people’s issues as he will have to give time for his officials work also.
“Further, if the administrator is from a distant place, the villagers will not get him on time or at the time of distress. Since sarpanch is aware about the problems of village he should continue as the administrator after June 19, when the panchayat’s tenures end,” they said.
“Nobody knows when the elections will be held if they are postponed. During Taukte Cyclone last year, sarpanch/panch was of great help to locals. Further, even pre-monsoon work of desilting gutter, nullah is pending. Further, the students/locals will find it difficult in getting necessary certificates such as residence/income on time as the administrator will be busy in his official work,” they added.
Kavlem Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar said, “The government should conduct elections at the earliest on the old data available of Other Backward Classes, based on which 2017 panchayat elections were held. But if it postpones, then sarpanch should be appointed as the administrator because the government official lacks knowledge about the panchayat affairs.”
