DIBRUGARH, Oct 9 - The villagers of two gaon panchayats (GPs) � Romai and Chiringhulla have raised objection to the alleged irrational attachments of their gaon panchayats with the proposed new development block of Khanikar, stating that the exercise would cause immense inconvenience to the people of the area which is presently under the administrative care of Lahowal development block.
The Governor of Assam through a draft notification (No. PDB. 96/2013/357) had ordered that due to the devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and also because of the increasing population, rationalization of the existing blocks and creation of new blocks were felt necessary. At least 40 new developments blocks have been proposed as per the notification by reorganizing and bifurcating the existing new blocks across the State.
The new Khanikar development block has been proposed by bifurcating Barbaruah and Lahowal development blocks. Four gaon panchayats of Barbaruah development block � Chiring Dainijan, Khanikar, Niz Mancotta and Jokai and another four GPs of Lahowal development block � Romai, Chiringhulla, Bokul and Timona have been proposed to be attached with the new Khanikar development block.
In a public meeting held at Madarkhat Sikshak Bhawan, the people welcomed the intent of the government, but questioned the logic and rationalization behind bifurcating Romai and Chiringhulla GPs from Lahowal block, which is only 35 km away and attaching them with Khanikar, which is about 60 km distance.
�We will have to travel in at least five different vehicles to reach Khanikar from Romai and Chiringhulla. What will be the fate of the people, particularly the elderly and the physically weak villagers? Suffering is imminent for all ASHA and Anganwadi workers, unemployed youths and farmers while travelling the distance by changing at least five different vehicles,� Bhupen Kumar Gogoi, one of the convenors of the meeting told The Assam Tribune.
The people during the public meeting resolved that both Romai and Chiringhulla gaon panchayats must stay with Lahowal development block if at all convenience and rationalization is prime purpose of reorganizing and creating new development blocks. The people of the area on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Dibrugarh to register their protest against the exercise. They have urged upon the deputy commissioner to immediately convey their objection to the Panchayat & Rural Development Department.
