Aspirants bet big for posts of sarpanch in Muktsar villages

As panchayat elections are scheduled for October 15, those willing to get elected as sarpanch unanimously are ready to shell out Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh for development works, donate Rs 5 lakh to gurdwara and give Rs 21,000 shagun to the needy girls at the time of their marriage in Muktsar district.

However, expenditure limit for a candidate contesting for the post of sarpanch is Rs 40,000.

Further, the post of sarpanch has been “auctioned” for Rs 35.5 lakh at Kothe Cheedian Wale village in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment. A video of the meeting of villagers held at a gurdwara to “auction” sarpanch’s post to the highest bidder has gone viral. In the video, two men can be seen inviting bids, which started from Rs 15 lakh.

Jagmail Singh, alias Amrik, said, “The villagers unanimously elected me sarpanch on Friday. Now, I am going to file my nominations just to complete the formalities. During the meeting, I promised to carry out the development works from my pocket.” He, however, dodged the query about the auction.

Sandeep Singh, a former panch of same village, said, “The auction took place at a gurdwara yesterday and Jagmail Singh, alias Amrik, agreed to spend Rs 35.5 lakh from his pocket for the development of the village. His father has served as a panch in the past.”

Similarly, a Bathinda-based businessman Pardaman Singh Mann, who lives at Daula village, posted on social media that if the villagers unanimously elect him sarpanch, he would spend Rs 30 lakh on development works. Besides, he promised to donate Rs 5 lakh to a gurdwara and provide Rs 21,000 as shagun for the marriage of girls from poor families.

Mann said, “In our village, the people are adversely affected by sewage and non-availability of potable water. Thus, I announced to spend Rs 30 lakh from my pocket, give Rs 5 lakh to a gurdwara and Rs 21,000 shagun to poor girls during their marriage. Some other residents have offered Rs 20 lakh for the same purpose.”

Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Tripathi said, “I have seen the video and sought a report from the Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned. Besides, a legal opinion is being sought in this regard.”