Is it Panchayati Raj or ‘Raj of Panchayati’

They were supposed to strengthen panchayati raj rather sarpanches have been using public fund to benefit their cronies and loyalists. The money earmarked for development is being used at personal properties of sarpanches themselves or their near and dear ones.

More than 8000 complaints have been received against sarpanches. Most of them are from Jaipur division (2452) followed by Ajmer (2349), Bharatpur (1654), Bikaner (1237), Udaipur (832), Jodhpur (580) and Kota (480).

Every panchayat is allocated budget for construction of road, tubewell, water tank, school, hospital and community hall. As per rules, no work can take place on private property but the land owned by government or gram panchayat.

However, sarpanches have been taking undue advantage by setting up tube wells or water tanks on either their personal property or their supporters. The government officials are hand in gloves with them.

A reply to RTI query has revealed that against thousands of cases filed, action has been taken only against 36 former or incumbent sarpanches. It raises question about panchayati raj department’s ability to keep a check on corruption and rein in errant local public representatives. According to Sandeep Kalwania, advocate in Rajasthan High Court, action must be taken against sarpanches if such cases against them come to light because as per rules they cannot use public fund on personal property.

“I received information through RTI that in last five years, action was taken only against 36 sarpanches whereas actual cases are much more. It is surprising that panchayati raj department doesn’t have record of them,” Prabhatilal Jangu, RTI activist said.