the goan I network
MARGAO
Sarpanch of Aquem-Baixo panchayat Siddesh Bhagat has decided to quit office in protest against the present panchayati raj system wherein one cannot do justice to the people.
Informing that he would tender his resignation to the Director of Panchayats on Tuesday, Bhagat said his resignation from office is one way to show his rebellion against the present system, where files do not move fast denying justice to the people.
Instead, the first-time sarpanch felt that he may be able to highlight people’s grievances, not only of Aquem but across the State, by coming on the streets.
“After quitting office, I have decided to take up public issues. I don’t want any inconvenience to my people back home due to my pre-occupation with issues of other places,” he said.
Asserting that he does not want to continue as sarpanch for namesake, Bhagat said the present system does not allow a sarpanch to mete out justice to the people. “The sarpanch himself is being paid a paltry honorarium of Rs 4000. And, the system does not bestow any rights on the sarpanch nor the panchayat to address public issues,” he added.
The sarpanch claimed that politicians across parties had joined hands to dislodge him from office, but could not succeed, because the people were with him.
“They formed a mahagathbandhan to dislodge me from office, but failed,” he added.
