Subhash Mahajan
Chamba: A delegation comprising panchayat pradhans and led by union district head Des Raj Sharma met Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Thursday (August 14, 2025).
Through Deputy Commissioner Repswal, the group submitted a detailed memorandum to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, urging the government to lift several restrictions that are hindering development work under MGNREGA and panchayat mandates.
The delegation specifically called for the removal of restrictions imposed on panchayat man-days under MGNREGA, arguing that government employees and pensioner families should not be barred from participating in MGNREGA work. They highlighted that civil supply and agriculture departments are not providing advance payments for materials (other than cement), causing work delays. Removing these limitations is essential for smooth execution of development efforts.
Currently, only 20 works — collectively including personal and public projects — are permitted per panchayat. The representatives demanded that personal projects be exempted from this cap to maintain holistic development across villages.
The delegation protested against a new performa in the Chamba development block, which requires the signatures of multiple officials, including gram employment servant, technical assistant, junior engineer and block development officer, for the release of muster rolls. They urged revocation of this requirement to expedite worker payments and project continuity.
They requested that the existing committee assigned for Below Poverty Line (BPL) surveys should finalise the list, addressing recent reports of panchayat representatives allegedly misusing the process. Furthermore, they demanded prompt disbursal of payments for cement supplied under MGNREGA for the 2025-26 period.
Noting that several panchayats had vacant chowkidar (watchman) posts due to recent retirements, the delegation urged their immediate appointment. This, they said, is vital for ensuring proper maintenance and governance at the grassroots level.
Present at the meeting were influential figures, including zila parishad member Manoj Kumar, block committee chairman Gurudev, Mehla Development Block chairman Dev Raj.
