Bishunapura, Garhwa: In a sharp escalation of tensions over stalled development work, Block Pramukh Deepa Kumari has accused Bishunpura Circle Officer Khagesh Kumar of failing to cooperate with the Panchayat Committee and ignoring its resolutions. The dispute centers on the clearance of 1.48 acres of vacant land near the old Panchayat building, earmarked for a vegetable market to benefit local farmers.
Deepa Kumari’s journey adds a remarkable dimension to this story. An engineer by profession, she quit her job to work for the upliftment of people, dedicating herself to grassroots development and farmers’ welfare. Her decision reflects a growing trend of professionals prioritizing social service over corporate careers.
Addressing a press conference, Kumari emphasized that 85% of farmers in Bishunapura block depend on agriculture for their livelihood. “The Panchayat Committee passed a resolution to clear the land for a vegetable market, which is crucial for farmers and vendors,” she said.
The department initially responded by measuring the land and issuing eviction notices to encroachers, granting them 24 hours to vacate. Loudspeaker announcements warned that bulldozers would be deployed on December 20 if the land was not cleared. However, 15 days have passed, and the bulldozer remains idle.
The vegetable market project is seen as a lifeline for thousands of farmers who currently struggle with inadequate infrastructure to sell their produce. Delays in implementation have raised questions about transparency and accountability within the local administration.
Sources allege that middlemen attempted to bribe the Circle Officer, possibly derailing the clearance process. This has sparked outrage among farmers and local representatives.
Deepa Kumari has now escalated the matter to the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), giving them a deadline of January 5 to clear the land. “If the administration fails to act, we will launch a mass protest involving elected representatives, farmers, and vendors,” Kumari warned. The proposed agitation will also highlight pending PM-Kisan applications and the lack of benefits reaching farmers in the region.