GPEOs demand security for cash handling

Frequent cases of waylaying and looting of cash by miscreants, have forced gram panchayat officials to seek adequate security.

The Dhenkanal unit of Odisha Gram Sevak & Gram Sevika Association has urged the Government to provide security or the staff would be forced to stop the work from Dec 15.

Frequent looting of cash is scaring the panchayat officials to carry cash to the office for distribution.

On Nov 15, Banasingh gram panchayat executive officer Samarendra Mohapatra was attacked by miscreants who looted Rs 1.90 lakh cash and took away his bike. He was coming to GP office for distribution of money under social security schemes.

Such incidents have been dangerously frequent and police have failed to nab the culprits, alleged Liakat Ali Khan, vice-president of the Dhenkanal association.

Since there is no banking facility nearby, GP officials bring cash from banks 10-25 km away from their office. In Dhenkanal Sadar block, more than 23 GPs have no nearest bank facility while 14 GPs out of 20 in Kamakshyanagar block are facing difficulties as banks are away from their GP offices.

Kamakshyanagar ABDO Niranjan Mishra said this is a matter of concern involving the interests of the underprivileged.

As per government order, GP officials are directed to distribute pensions in cash on 15th of every month which has been declared as Janaseva Diwas.

Block officials have suggested that the government can transfer funds for the beneficiaries through business correspondents [BC] of private banks or nationalised banks for remote places. BCs are covered under insurance.

However, District Social Welfare Officer Binapany Tripathy said she had been officially informed about the looting incidents and attack on GPEOs.