Odisha Sarpanch Association Slams Government’s ‘Gift’ Claim Over Honorarium Release, Threatens Protest
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Sarpanch Association has strongly objected to the state government’s characterisation of the release of ₹56.55 crore as a “gift” for sarpanches and naib sarpanches, asserting that the amount merely covers long-pending honorarium dues and should not be portrayed as a special benefit.
The association stated that honorarium payments have remained pending since March and that the recently released funds account for only a portion of the outstanding dues.
According to the organisation, several months of payments are still pending, causing dissatisfaction among elected representatives at the grassroots level.
Association members argued that the release of overdue honorariums is a legitimate entitlement of elected representatives and should not be projected as a gesture of generosity by the government.
They maintained that timely payment of wages and honorariums is an administrative responsibility rather than a discretionary reward.
Beyond the payment issue, the association raised concerns over the functioning of gram panchayats across the state.
It alleged that developmental activities in many rural areas have slowed down and questioned the implementation of government initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance.
The association also expressed disappointment over the progress of the government’s “Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha” campaign, claiming that the initiative has not translated into meaningful action on the ground.
Warning of intensified agitation, the association announced that it would stage a protest at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar from November if its concerns over pending dues and rural governance are not addressed satisfactorily.
Opposition leaders have echoed the association’s criticism. Ganeswar Behera of the BJD stated that the fund release should not be described as a gift, while Bhakta Charan Das, president of the OPCC, argued that the amount represents a rightful entitlement of elected grassroots representatives rather than a special favour from the government.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate on the treatment of local self-government representatives and the state of rural development in Odisha, with the Sarpanch Association demanding greater recognition of the role played by grassroots institutions in governance.
