NRIs pitch for unanimity on sarpanch picks in Doaba

The Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have played a pivotal role in ensuring that candidates for the post of sarpanch don’t indulge in cheap politics and get elected unanimously in most of the villages.

In several villages, the NRIs have told the residents that they would spend money on development works only if they stay united and elect sarpanches unopposed.

As a result, the residents of Ucha and Musapur villages in Jalandhar, elected their gram panchayats without any opposition.

Sukhbir Singh, who has been elected sarpanch from Ucha village, said, “The NRIs want that the money they send for development works should be utilised in a proper manner. Upgradation of government dispensary and construction of a library is my priority.”

Joga Singh Sandhu, who lives in Calgary and left Ucha village in the late 90s, said, “For the progress of village, we are ready to provide everything but don’t want groupism and petty politics. During last panchayat poll, we couldn’t convince the residents to elect sarpanch unopposed. This time, we have succeeded in our attempt.”

Musapur with a population of 500 has unanimously elected Rajwinder Kaur as their sarpanch. “The NRIs don’t like groupism in villages. Solid waste management is my priority,” she said.

Speaking over phone from England, Nanak Singh, who belongs to Musapur, said, “We are happy that the villagers listened to us. Now, there will be no infighting in the village.”

However, at Sann Kalan and Dosanjh Khurd villages in Banga, Nawanshahr, the NRIs have failed to convince fellow villagers to elect sarpanches in unison.

A UK-based NRI Shaminder Singh, who belongs to Sall Kalan, said he tried really hard to convince the people to elect sarpanch unanimously as it would had made the village eligible for Rs 5 lakh for development works and ensure harmony among the residents. “We are disappointed as we couldn’t succeed in our motive. When there is ‘party baazi’ in villages, it creates problem in development of the society as a whole,” said Shaminder, adding that if the villagers weren’t ready to listen to the NRIs, then why should they help them.

One of the two candidates for the post of sarpanch at Sall Kalan village, Harpreet Singh, said, “There are several issues which need to be addressed at the earliest.”