Maha threatens to dissolve GPs over resolution to merge with Karnataka

VIJAYAPURA: After several gram panchayats in Solapur taluk passed resolutions seeking to merge with Karnataka, the Maharashtra government has now threatened to suspend the panchayat officials from work and even dissolve the panchayats.

About two weeks ago, 11 gram panchayats in Akkalkot taluk, comprising more than 40 villages, had passed resolutions seeking to merge with Karnataka and had forwarded the resolutions to the Solapur district collector. Some people, who had raised Kannada flags, were also served notices by the police to desist from any such acts. The villagers are upset over the lack of basic facilities like drinking water, roads and irrigation facilities.

Rudrappa speaking at the meeting; (right) Karnataka Rakshana Vedike district president K C Mulla.

“The government has threatened that they will suspend the officials, remove the sarpanch and dissolve the panchayat. They can do whatever they want. But we will fight for our basic rights. Our struggle will continue”, said Rudrappa, a villager.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike district president M C Mulla, while extending full support to the villagers, said that former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna had announced a Rs 204 crore package for 22 villages in Athani taluk in 2002 when they had threatened to merge with Maharashtra if they are not provided basic facilities. Similary, the Maharashtra government too should announce a package for villages in Akkalkot taluk to provide roads, schools and drinking water facilities, he demanded.

The villages lack basic facilities like drinking water and good roads.

“Tired of putting up with the lack of facilities, the 11 gram panchayats had submitted a resolution to the Maharashtra government seeking basic facilities. The action by the Maharashtra government to threaten them is condemnable. The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is ready to give an appropriate response to the Maharashtra government. We have held a meeting with the presidents of the Akkalkot and Jath units. Soon, we will meet the villagers along with our state president and discuss with both the Karnataka and Maharashtra governments about solving the problems of the border area people”, Mulla added.