Bhadrak, June 26: The female Sarpanch of Bayangdihi Panchayat in Dhamnagar block, Bhadrak district, Odisha, was removed from her position for being illiterate.
As per reports, Kuntala Mallick won the election for Sarpanch by defeating Bharati Behera. However, Bharati challenged Kuntala in court, claiming she is illiterate. The court ordered the district collector to remove Kuntala from the Sarpanch post. Kuntala appealed this decision in the Orissa High Court but couldn't prove she could read and write in Odia.
Following a letter from Bhadrak Sub-Collector Monaj Patra, Naib Sarpanch Pradeep Kumar Barik took over as the Sarpanch of Bayangdihi Panchayat. Even after the Panchayat Extension Officer (PEO) administered the oath to Pradeep, Kuntala didn't step down.
In response, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Dhamnagar posted a notice at Kuntala's house, as directed by the Sub-Collector, and transferred Sarpanch duties to Pradeep. Kuntala declined to comment on the matter.
New Sarpanch Pradeep Barik stated, "The former Sarpanch didn't meet the educational requirements, so her position was revoked. Following the Sub-Collector's instructions, I am now fulfilling my duties as Sarpanch."
