ZP chiefs resignation raises more questions

GULBARGA: Though the Karnataka Zilla Panchayat Act makes it mandatory for ZP presidents to submit their resignation, when they do so, to the government (Principal Secretary to Rural Development Department) in person, the provision was not enforced strictly since the inception of the Act.However, for the first time, things changed in Gulbarga ZP president’s resignation case, and many wonder why it was enforced only now. A senior officer of the Rural Development Department, on condition of anonymity, told Express that the Act made it mandatory for ZP presidents to submit their resignation to the principal secretary.But relaxation was made to this rule, and in all the cases of resignation of ZP heads so far in the state, they were allowed to submit their resignation, addressed to Principal Secretary, to the CEOs of the concerned ZPs in person.The officer said the ZPs received a circular on 19th November which stated that henceforth the rule would be strictly enforced.Immediately on Saturday, the department refused to consider the resignation of Gulbarga ZP president Shivaprabhu Patil, who submitted his resignation letter, addressed to the Principal Secretary, to the CEO in-charge in person on November 5.When Patil handed his resignation letter to the CEO in-charge, the latter after consultation with the department, asked Patil to submit another resignation letter, addressed to Principal Secretary, to the CEO of Gulbarga zilla panchayat.Accordingly, Patil submitted another letter. But when he went to the Rural Development Department on Saturday, to withdraw his resignation, there was a surprise waiting for him.The senior officer in the department told him that his resignation was not considered and the question of withdrawing it did not arise at all. Leaders of political parties express surprise over the department’s mood swings. They wonder if the government insists that ZP presidents intending to resign should go to Bangalore to submit their resignation, then what is the meaning of decentralisation of power.CEO is the government’s  representative at the ZP level, and he knows if the person tendering his resignation is the ZP president or not, they feel.