Residents against transfer of panchayats

Our Correspondent

Palampur, January 20

With the creation of one more subdivision (Civil) in Palampur area at Dheera, 15 km from here, the total number of panchayats under the jurisdiction of the Palampur SDM will come down from 91 to 39 as 52 panchayats will be transferred to newly created Dheera subdivision.

Earlier, there was only one Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at Palampur. Now it has been divided into four — Baijnath, Jaisinghpur, Dheera and Palampur. Official sources said here that 50 per cent clerical and field staff from the SDM office, Palampur, would also be shifted to the new subdivision of Dheera. Similarly, the post of one Tehsildar is likely to be transferred to Dheera.

However, there is strong resentment in 24 panchayats like Mehanja, Maranda, Bhawarna, Dehan, Kalu Di Hatii, Khalet and Punnar adjoining Palampur, which would now become part of new Dheera subdivision.

Residents said Palampur was more suitable to them as it was situated on the Pathankot-Mandi NH and within a radius of 5-6 km from these panchayats whereas Dheera was neither easily accessible nor well-connected by passenger transport services. Though they welcomed the government’s decision, they were opposed to being part of Dheera subdivision.

They appealed to the Chief Minister not to disturb them and keep their panchayats within the jurisdiction of the Palampur SDM instead of the Dheera SDM.