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Sivasagar Panchayat Members Still Await Honorarium Despite Government Sanction

By SK Hasan |

Despite official directives and sanctioned funds, Panchayat members of Sivasagar district have not received their honorarium for the period 2013–2018, leaving many disillusioned and frustrated.

The Assam state government had sanctioned Rs. 46.34 crore for the disbursement of honorarium to Panchayat members across 21 districts. However, large sections of the intended beneficiaries—including members of Sivasagar's Anchalik Panchayats and several Gaon Panchayats—have reportedly not received a single rupee from the allocated amount.

In Sivasagar, this prolonged delay persists despite a directive from the Deputy Commissioner and the Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, instructing the release of the pending payments. In protest, a group of affected Panchayat members recently submitted a memorandum to local authorities, urging them to act and facilitate the payment process.

The members allege that they have been forced to run from pillar to post for years in pursuit of their rightful dues. The situation has raised serious concerns about bureaucratic negligence and the lack of accountability among officials responsible for disbursing the funds.

With no clear response or timeline for resolution, the affected members are left in uncertainty. The public now asks: Will the authorities finally act to ensure justice and release the long-overdue honorarium?

For the panchayat members who worked at the grassroots level during the 2013–2018 term, only time will tell if their service will ever be duly recognized.

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SK Hasan's picture

Freelance journalist, Nazira, Sibasagar district.
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