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Tension in Mulshi-Maval over Gram Panchayat bills; Extension Officers threatened with a weapon!
Pune: Following the appointment of Extension Officers as administrators for Gram Panchayats whose terms had expired, the issue of pending bills for development works has come to the forefront. With the process of clearing bills—stalled for six months—now underway, there has been a surge in visits to Gram Panchayat offices by contractors and former elected representatives.
In some places, pressure is being exerted on Extension Officers to hand over bill cheques directly. A shocking incident has emerged from a Gram Panchayat in the Mulshi or Maval talukas where an Extension Officer was threatened with a weapon to prevent the processing of a bill. It is reported that pressure was applied with the instruction, "Do not process the bill without consulting us." It is understood that the officer's health deteriorated following this incident.
Extension Officers have been appointed as administrators for 727 Gram Panchayats in Pune district. Prior to these appointments, bills had been stalled due to the lack of financial authority. Now, however, an atmosphere of tension has developed between former elected representatives and the administrators.
Extension Officers bear the responsibility of ensuring document completion, inspecting works, and adhering to regulations when processing bills for development projects. Consequently, the pressure exerted on them and concerns regarding their safety have become matters of concern for the administration.
Commenting on the issue, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bhushan Joshi said, "The incident involving the intimidation of Extension Officers over bills is serious. We will gather information and take immediate legal action. Extension Officers should also inform senior officials if such incidents occur."
Meanwhile, the Sarpanch Parishad has challenged the decision to appoint administrators in court. There is a need for the district administration to pay serious attention to maintaining transparency and providing protection to officials while settling pending bills in accordance with the rules.
Pune: Following the appointment of Extension Officers as administrators for Gram Panchayats whose terms had expired, the issue of pending bills for development works has come to the forefront. With the process of clearing bills—stalled for six months—now underway, there has been a surge in visits to Gram Panchayat offices by contractors and former elected representatives.
In some places, pressure is being exerted on Extension Officers to hand over bill cheques directly. A shocking incident has emerged from a Gram Panchayat in the Mulshi or Maval talukas where an Extension Officer was threatened with a weapon to prevent the processing of a bill. It is reported that pressure was applied with the instruction, "Do not process the bill without consulting us." It is understood that the officer's health deteriorated following this incident.
Extension Officers have been appointed as administrators for 727 Gram Panchayats in Pune district. Prior to these appointments, bills had been stalled due to the lack of financial authority. Now, however, an atmosphere of tension has developed between former elected representatives and the administrators.
Extension Officers bear the responsibility of ensuring document completion, inspecting works, and adhering to regulations when processing bills for development projects. Consequently, the pressure exerted on them and concerns regarding their safety have become matters of concern for the administration.
Commenting on the issue, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bhushan Joshi said, "The incident involving the intimidation of Extension Officers over bills is serious. We will gather information and take immediate legal action. Extension Officers should also inform senior officials if such incidents occur."
Meanwhile, the Sarpanch Parishad has challenged the decision to appoint administrators in court. There is a need for the district administration to pay serious attention to maintaining transparency and providing protection to officials while settling pending bills in accordance with the rules.
In some places, pressure is being exerted on Extension Officers to hand over bill cheques directly. A shocking incident has emerged from a Gram Panchayat in the Mulshi or Maval talukas where an Extension Officer was threatened with a weapon to prevent the processing of a bill. It is reported that pressure was applied with the instruction, "Do not process the bill without consulting us." It is understood that the officer's health deteriorated following this incident.
Extension Officers have been appointed as administrators for 727 Gram Panchayats in Pune district. Prior to these appointments, bills had been stalled due to the lack of financial authority. Now, however, an atmosphere of tension has developed between former elected representatives and the administrators.
Extension Officers bear the responsibility of ensuring document completion, inspecting works, and adhering to regulations when processing bills for development projects. Consequently, the pressure exerted on them and concerns regarding their safety have become matters of concern for the administration.
Commenting on the issue, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bhushan Joshi said, "The incident involving the intimidation of Extension Officers over bills is serious. We will gather information and take immediate legal action. Extension Officers should also inform senior officials if such incidents occur."
Meanwhile, the Sarpanch Parishad has challenged the decision to appoint administrators in court. There is a need for the district administration to pay serious attention to maintaining transparency and providing protection to officials while settling pending bills in accordance with the rules.
