‘Ensure no willing person stopped to file nomination for Sarpnach post in Bileisarada GP’

Bhubaneswar: Two days after getting a factual report from the Balangir Collector on the media report on auction of a Sarpanch post, the State Election Commissioner (SEC) AP Padhi today directed the district administration to ensure a willing person files nominations without hindrance in Bileisarada gram panchayat.

During a virtual review meeting with District Collectors, the SEC asked the Balangir District Collector to ensure that any one wants to file nomination for the post of Sarpanch of Bileisarada gram panchayat is allowed to do so without any obstruction or dissuasion.

Also, the SEC ordered disengagement of GRS of Purusottampr gram panchayat under Chandabali Block in Bhadrak district. The Collector Bhadrak was further directed to issue show-cause notice to the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) for allowing the Government Office being misused for poll campaign purposes. The BJP had filed a complaint before the poll commission in this regard yesterday.

Padhi discussed with the district administrations during the review meeting about removal of hoardings, banners, posters etc. from government buildings and public places.

It is worth to mention here that a report published by the Time of India, Bhubaneswar edition on January 17, 2022, stated that a group of influential persons in Bilaisarda panchayat under Puintala block of the district auctioned the post of Sarpanch for Rs 44.1 lakh.

Out of four bidders for, one won the right to become Sarpanch unopposed for Rs 44.1 lakhs, the report mentioned.

Following the report, the SEC office had asked to submit a factual report from the Balangir Collector by 5 PM on January 18, 2022.