Gournagar Panchayat Samiti alleges step-motherly attitude by state govt, Vice Chairman voices strong protest

The Vice Chairman of Gournagar Panchayat Samiti, Mohammad Badruzzaman, has openly alleged that the state government has deliberately deceived the Gournagar block of Kailashahar under Unakoti district and is treating it with step-motherly neglect.

He expressed strong resentment against the state government during a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon, at the hall of the Gournagar Panchayat Samiti in Kailashahar.

Present at the press conference were Gournagar Panchayat Samiti Chairman Laxmi Nam, Vice Chairman Mohammad Badruzzaman, Panchayat Samiti members Dip Sinha and Ruman Miah.

Addressing the media, Vice Chairman Badruzzaman stated that the Gournagar Panchayat Samiti oversees a total of 20 panchayats, including 17 Gram Panchayats and three ADC villages. However, after 11 Panchayat Secretaries retired over the past year, the state government has not appointed replacements even after seven months. He further alleged that despite a severe shortage of staff such as GRS and RPM personnel, the government has failed to provide adequate manpower.

As a result, a single Panchayat Secretary, one GRS, and one RPM are being forced to manage two to three Panchayat offices along with block-level responsibilities.

Meanwhile, other blocks in the district—particularly Chandipur, Kumarghat, and Pecharthal—reportedly have excess staff, while administrative work in Gournagar block has come to a standstill due to the staff shortage.

Badruzzaman also claimed that despite repeated written appeals to the state government, the authorities have continued to ignore the issue and maintain what he described as discriminatory treatment toward the Gournagar block.

He further alleged that workers engaged in projects under the MGNREGA scheme during the 2024–25 financial years—when former District Magistrate (MP) Uttam Chakma was in office—have still not received their wages. According to him, the labourers have been staging protests daily at Gram Panchayat offices, the Block office, and the District Magistrate’s office, yet their dues remain unpaid. He added that despite several written complaints to the Chief Minister, the state government has not released the pending funds.

Badruzzaman also claimed that local MLA Birajit Sinha had sought permission multiple times to meet the Chief Minister regarding the issue but was reportedly not granted an appointment.

The Vice Chairman further raised concerns about a state government initiative aimed at providing financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each to unemployed and underprivileged youth from minority communities to help them become self-reliant. As part of this scheme, 180 unemployed youths from minority communities in various Gram Panchayats and urban areas under Gournagar block were supposed to receive assistance.

According to Badruzzaman, the block administration had requested a list of eligible beneficiaries, which was duly prepared and submitted by the elected PRI bodies. However, he alleged that the Chairman of the State Waqf Board independently prepared another list and submitted it to the government, bypassing the PRI list.

He described the move as illegal and undemocratic, claiming that it disregards the directives of the Chief Minister and indirectly insults the state leadership. Badruzzaman urged the government to immediately prioritize the list prepared by the PRI bodies and ensure that the financial assistance reaches the intended unemployed youth without further delay.