October 16, 2025.
Thursday.
Bolangir: President of Sarpanch Mahasangha Bolangir, Birabar Sahu, has urged the government to take steps to solve the problems of PRI members so that they could work properly in panchayats.
Speaking to the media at the third annual meeting here on Wednesday, Sahu pointed out that, as per section 24 of Odisha Gram Panchayat Act 1964, a no-confidence motion can be brought against a sarpanch after two and a half years.
This is an old provision. A lot of administrative changes have taken place in the meanwhile thanks to technology and regular monitoring of panchayats. It has been seen that in many cases, this provision is being used to settle political scores. PRI members are affected in this process. We urge the government, either to amend or remove the provision, to ensure a stable term for sarpanch for speedy development of Panchayats in five years.
During the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan, the Central Government was giving money directly to panchayats. However, in the 15th Five-Year Plan, the percentage of sanctioned money was reduced from 100 to 60 percent. We urge the Government
to restore to its original form of providing 100% in the next five-year plan, Sahu says further
After the electrification in rural areas and water supply, Grampanchayat is making payments for electricity charges and water supply project expenses, which has become burdensome.
Moreover, even after submission of the action plan by the Panchayat in time, both Central and State assistance are not provided in time, affecting the development activities and creating a lot of problems for sarpanch. We urge the government to look into this matter and sort out the problem by the sarpanch to ensure speedy development in grassroot areas to make a prosperous Odisha, Sahu says further.
Earlier, Kantabanji
MLA Laxman Bag said that the government is taking steps to strengthen PRI system in the state . He assured to look into their demands.
Bolangir Zilla Parishad Chairman Devaki Sahu also supported the genuine demands of the sarpanch.
