Kukudakhandi: A man has been working as a panchayat assistant in this block of Ganjam district for a paltry salary of `17 per day for last 12 years.
The government has fixed the daily wage of a worker under MGNREGS at `176 while Somnath Sahoo of Masihakhali panchyat office gets `500 a month. His salary works out to less than `17 a day making a mockery of the existing system in the panchayat .
According to Somnath, he was appointed as an office assistant (peon) 12 years ago as per a panchayat resolution. He first received a salary of `300 a month which was later increased to `500. His responsibility included cleaning of panchayat office, its maintenance, taking the signatures in the register during the meeting and assisting the panchayat executive officer, gram rozgar sevak, sarpanch and samiti members in their work.
“I am tired of getting assurances from the panchayat officials for a raise in salary,” the father of two lamented.
Somnath’s seven-year-old son studies in Class I while the four-your-old daughter is in Anganwadi Centre for pre-school training.
Though he has put up a tea stall in the village to meet the growing needs of his family, he finds it difficult to meet both ends, said Somnath.
Panchayat executive officer Keshab Achari said Somnath is given `500 from the panchayat funds. He would get salaries like others if he continues to work efficiently with sincerity, he added.
The issue would be raised in the meeting and appropriate decision would be taken, said sarpanch representative Shivram Maharana.
Panchayat residents demanded immediate attention of the block development officer and gram panchayat officer towards the plight of Somnath.
PNN