Haryana Police Lathi-Charge Sarpanches Protesting Government's E-Tendering Policy

According to the police, some protesters attempted to enter Chandigarh by jumping over the barricades.

Police forces secure the area

Source : File Photo/AFP

Sarpanches stormed the police barricade near the Panchkula-Chandigarh border on Wednesday who had gathered in Panchkula to protest the Haryana government's e-tender policy and march toward the residence of the chief minister, police "lathi-charged" several village heads who had gathered to protest the Haryana government's e-tender policy.

#WATCH | Sarpanchs of various villages from across Haryana stage protest against the e-tendering policy of the state government at Panchkula pic.twitter.com/OhzNu1M39M

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2023

The newly elected village heads in Haryana have been protesting against the e-tendering system for development projects in rural areas since the panchayat elections were held, claiming that it would limit their spending power.

Village heads can approve development projects up to Rs 2 lakh under the e-tendering system, but projects over Rs 2 lakh must be submitted electronically.

As members of the Haryana Sarpanches' Association, which is a body that represents the heads of villages, threatened to march toward the residence of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, a large number of police officers were sent to the border between Panchkula and Chandigarh and barricades were erected.

According to the police, some protesters attempted to enter Chandigarh by jumping over the barricades.

Despite their "peaceful" demonstration, the protesters claimed that the police "lathi-charged" them and that a few protesters had been injured.

To press for their demands, numerous protesters continued to squat on the roads.

In Panchkula, a state government official met with the sarpanches who were protesting and reassured them that the government is willing to talk about their demands. Additionally, he urged them not to impede traffic by blocking the roads.

The Haryana government and village leaders did not reach an agreement at a meeting on the issue on Monday.

The Haryana Sarpanches' Association stated that they are opposed to the policy, despite Development and Panchayat Minister Devender Singh Babli reiterating that the e-tendering system would bring transparency and guarantee quality in development projects.

The affiliation guaranteed that the new strategy would make "blocks" being developed work.

In addition, the leaders of the villages have stated that if the government does not comply with their demands, they will continue their protest.

Khattar stated last week that the Panchayati Raj Institutions' e-tendering system aimed to increase development project transparency.

Congress and other opposition parties have also offered the sarpanches their support.

Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal strongly condemned the "lathicharge" on Wednesday in an attack on the BJP-JJP government.