The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kangra today issued an order removing Neelam Kumari, pradhan of Barot Khas gram panchayat in Fatehpur Development Block, for allegedly violating provisions of the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. Citing Section 146(B) of the Act, the DC declared the pradhan’s post vacant and instructed her to hand over all panchayat office records and assets to the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO), Fatehpur.
The action follows a written complaint submitted by ward members against Neelam Kumari. After receiving the complaint, the Fatehpur BDO initiated a preliminary inquiry through a committee, which submitted its findings to the District Panchayat Officer (DPO), Kangra, on June 6, 2024. Based on these findings, the DPO issued a show cause notice to the pradhan on August 16, 2024. However, her responses were deemed unsatisfactory, leading to her suspension on September 10, 2024.
A regular inquiry was subsequently conducted by the Fatehpur SDM under Section 146 of the Panchayati Raj Act. The inquiry found the pradhan guilty of violating Section 145(1) of the Act, prompting another show cause notice on February 10. Yet again, her reply was found contrary to the facts, leading to the Kangra DC’s final decision to sack her from the post today.
