Key Facts
Sandhol and Dattwad in Mandi district were upgraded from gram panchayats to a Nagar Panchayat nearly two years ago. However, residents say there has been no improvement in basic urban services such as waste management, sewerage, street lighting, drainage cleaning, and road maintenance.
Details of the Grievances
Local residents including Dinesh Kumar, Resham Bharmaurya, Subhash Chand, Kalu Ram, and Neelam Kumar expressed their frustration. They stated that although the board of the Nagar Panchayat has been installed, the system still runs on the old panchayat setup. Even administrative services like issuing certificates are still being handled at the panchayat level.
Moreover, after the local body elections, representatives were elected in other areas, but in Sandhol Nagar Panchayat, councillors have not yet been nominated. This has left residents unable to fully benefit from either the panchayat system or the Nagar Panchayat system.
Impact on Residents
The lack of proper waste management has led to garbage accumulation in public places. Inadequate sewerage and drainage systems cause waterlogging during rains. Poor street lighting raises safety concerns, especially for women and the elderly. The absence of a dedicated staff for the Nagar Panchayat means that even routine maintenance work is delayed.
What the Authorities Say
Harshit Sharma, secretary of Sujanpur Tihara Municipal Council, who is holding additional charge of Sandhol Nagar Panchayat, said that staff has not yet been made available for the Nagar Panchayat. A Junior Engineer and a clerk are currently working on additional charge. He assured that once staff is provided, the system will be streamlined.
What Residents Want
Residents have urged the state government to make the Nagar Panchayat fully functional at the earliest and provide basic amenities. They demand immediate nomination of councillors and deployment of dedicated staff so that the area can truly benefit from its urban local body status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Sandhol residents upset?
Residents are upset because even two years after the area was upgraded to a Nagar Panchayat, basic urban amenities like waste management, sewerage, streetlights, and drainage have not been provided.
What is the status of councillors in Sandhol Nagar Panchayat?
Councillors have not yet been nominated for the Sandhol Nagar Panchayat, leaving the area without elected representatives.
What did the secretary say about the staff shortage?
Harshit Sharma, secretary of Sujanpur Tihara Municipal Council holding additional charge of Sandhol Nagar Panchayat, said that staff has not been made available yet; only a JE and clerk are working on additional charge.
Source: www.amarujala.com