Neri youth body warns of indefinite agitation over delay in special gram sabha

No date has yet been announced for a special gram sabha in Neri village of Chimur, although it has been demanded repeatedly. The Yuva Gramvikas Sanghatana alleges that assurances kept coming but no action followed on the ground. The organisation gheraoed the gram panchayat, submitted memoranda and followed up with officials. The matter remains unresolved, and it has now warned of an indefinite agitation.

Youths of the village say various issues concerning Neri should be discussed. They want villagers to get clear information about the working of the gram panchayat and answers on pending issues. For this reason they have demanded a special gram sabha. Despite repeated follow-ups the meeting is being delayed, and questions are being raised about how the gram panchayat functions.

The youths had put several questions at the gram sabha held on August 31. They allege that the sarpanch did not give satisfactory answers. They were then assured that another gram sabha would be held on September 4. When the meeting was not held on the appointed day, the youths' anger grew. They then gheraoed the gram panchayat and demanded that a special gram sabha be called immediately. According to the organisation, the block development officer assured them at that time that a gram sabha would be held.

After a new administrator was appointed to the gram panchayat, the same demand was made through a memorandum. The youths also said the block development officer has sent two letters to gram panchayat officials about the special gram sabha. Even so, no date has been announced, and the question being asked is what the reason for the delay is.

The organisation says a special gram sabha is an important forum for villagers to raise local questions and discuss the working of the gram panchayat. It therefore demands that the administration announce the date of the gram sabha immediately instead of giving more assurances, answer the villagers' questions and make the facts of the entire matter clear. The organisation has warned that if the administration does not heed the demand and act at the earliest, an indefinite agitation will be launched.

The organisation has also alleged delay in information sought under the Right to Information Act. The information relates to the working of the gram panchayat. The youths say many aspects of its functioning need to be clarified and villagers should know the facts. The official position of the administration concerned on these allegations is not yet clear. People of Neri are now watching which way the special gram sabha issue goes and what stand the administration takes.