Rajkot panchayat seeks removal of inefficient DDO

This is first-of-its-kind development in the recent history of the state.

In an unusual move,the general board of Rajkot district panchayat adopted resolutions seeking removal of district development officer (DDO),his deputy and an executive engineer for their alleged inefficiencies late Monday. The incident is seen as an embarrassment for BJP-led state government as the party is also in power in the panchayat.

The BJP-led board passed three resolutions seeking to send DDD Dhaval Patel,DyDDO S D Dhanani and executive engineer (roads and building),R R Parmar back to the state government. This is first-of-its-kind development in the recent history of the state.

Bhikha Rokad,a BJP member from Jasdan taluka,moved the three resolutions. Rokad alleged while the DDO had failed to address problems of the district which is hit by a deficient monsoon,the DyDDO had no control over subordinate officer and hence work on many projects was delayed. The third resolution accused the executive engineer of corruption and negligence on duty and seek his removal.

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The resolution seeking removal of DDO also proposed to relieve the officer from the charge of pool of vehicles bought from consolidated fund of the panchayat and withdraw his other powers.

Cong stages walkout

Congress members of the board left the meeting as Bhikha Rokad started reading out proposals seeking removal of DDO,DyDDO and executive engineer. We believe the BJP members have personal differences with the top officers. The officials have not shown stubbornness which BJP is alleging. We do not involve ourselves in this dispute, leader of Opposition in panchayat,Arjun Khatariya,said.

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