Bhubaneswar: As many as 6,789 Sarpanchs across the state staged a protest at Master Canteen Square on Monday in support of their various demands including a hike in their salary.
They united under the banner of Sarpanch Mahasangh and took out a rally from Lower PMG Square before heading toward Naveen Niwas. However, a scuffle broke out between the agitators and police when the former tried to enter the Naveen Niswas.
The agitators tried to gherao the Naveen Niwas but were intercepted by police at Sishu Bhawan Square. And this led to a scuffle between both of them.
The Sarpanchs, meanwhile, threatened that they would intensify their stir and launch an indefinite strike if their 15-point charters of demands are not met at the earliest.
Their demands included more power to the Gram Panchayats, full aid, a salary hike to Rs 30000 per month, and retirement allowance of Rs 5,000 per month.
The agitators alleged that despite working hard without taking leave, they are being paid a meagre of Rs 2,300. Despite working round-the-clock for the developmental projects at grassroots, the government is yet to pay heed to fulfill their demands.
