Non-functional gram panchayats cause a worry for the ruling establishment as it halts development and welfare schemes because the lowest tier of the panchayat system is the implementing agency. “The DMs have been asked by the panchayat department to send report on functioning of gram panchayats,” said a source. Sources in the department said the exact number of such gram panchayats was yet to be ascertained, but primarily, it appeared that elected representatives were absent in about 15 per cent of 3,300-odd gram panchayats. “In majority of the cases, the Trinamul Congress’s panchayat members are being prevented from entering offices. Second, some Trinamul members have stopped going to panchayat offices after the agitation demanding refund of cut money spread to several districts.

Source: The Telegraph June 30, 2019 21:56 UTC