Extension officer Salve, Gramsevak Potdar suspended

Aurangabad, Jan 22:

Bidkin grampanchayat gramsevak Sanjay Shinde committed suicide by consuming poison due to the harassment of the senior officers. The Zilla Parishad administration taking the issue seriously took away the charge from the development officer (BDO) of Paithan and suspended the president of the gramsevak union on Thursday. Now, on Friday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mangesh Gondawale suspended extension officer Bhaskar Salve and Chitegaon gramsevak Tulshiram Potdar.

Shinde was mentally tortured by the senior officers frequently on the issue of conducting the inquiry of the Bidkin grampanchyat. He was demanded Rs 5 lakh for not conducting the inquiry, Shinde’s wife Pratibha Shinde mentioned in her complaint lodged at the Bidkin police station. The suspects in the complaint were the BDO of Paithan Vijay Shinde, block development officer Sakharam Divte, extension officer Bhaskar Salve and Chitegaon gramsevak Tulshiram Potdar. Dr Gondawale took action against these officers. As per the complaint lodged by the gramsevak union and by the order of the divisional commissioner, the further inquiry in the matter will be completed within eight days. The four officers accused in the case will be inquired and the inquiry report will be sent to the secretary of the rural development department. He will take the further decision in this regard. Additional CEO, Santosh Kawade said that the rural development department has question the administration about the matter.

An inquiry committee chaired by Kawade has been set up and the assistant BDO K M Bagul has been issued orders that the concerned gramsevak, extension officer, assistant administrative officer, junior administrative officer, senior assistant and others should be present for the inquiry with essential documents at Paithan Panchayat Samiti office on January 27. The additional charge of the BDO has been given to Bagul presently.

Gramsevak district president, Bhimraj Dane Patil, said, the complaints of the gramsevak against the BDO and their agents have been registered. Around, 10 gramsevaks have registered their statements. These statements will be presented before the inquiry committee on January 27, he said.

Meanwhile, CEO, Dr Gondawale said, the rights to take action on the BDO level rest on the senior officers. An inquiry report will be sent to the officers. Such incidents which will tarnish the image of the administration will not be tolerated. Three officers have been suspended while the charge of the BDO has been sacked, he said.