Sarpanches in Harayana protests against govt's e-tender policy

Chandigarh: After the induction of the e-tender policy for development works by the Haryana government in rural areas, some village Sarpanches staged a protest on Wednesday against the move, PTI reported.

Haryana Sarpanches' Association -- a body representing the village heads- issued threats that they would march towards the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's residence. Following this administration deployed police troops in large numbers, and barricades were set up at the Panchkula-Chandigarh border.

A meeting was held between the Haryana government and the village heads on Monday over the matter but failed to reach an agreement.

Haryana held Panchayat polls recently, and after that, the newly elected Sarpanches initiated protests against the e-tender system, citing that it would reduce their spending powers.

While Development and Panchayat Minister Devender Singh Babli reiterated that the e-tendering system would bring transparency and ensure quality in development projects, the Haryana Sarpanches' Association said they are against the policy.

According to Sarpanches, the new policy would hinder development works. The village heads warned that they would continue forward with their protests if the government did not accept their demands.

Under the e-tendering system, village heads can approve development works up to Rs 2 lakh at their own level, but e-tendering is mandatory for projects above Rs 2 lakh.

CM Khattar said last week that the e-tendering system in Panchayati Raj Institutions aimed to bring transparency to development works.

But, Opposition parties, including Congress, have also extended their support to the sarpanches.