I am 45 year old but feel and look much older. Part of the reason for this is
the burden of responsibility on my shoulders, which weighs down heavily on
me. Entering public life on the inspiration and request of the legendary leader
late Biju Patnaik in 1992, I first became a Member, Panchayat Samiti and
since then have embarked on a journey of service to my neglected community.
Seeing my acumen, I was soon chosen as the Block Vice-Chairman. However,
no sooner had I begun to execute my powers than certain vested interests,
in connivance with local government officials, began to gang up against
me. Belittling my abilities because I was a woman, they tried every trick to
browbeat me into following their dictates. However, proving them wrong, I
carried on in my duties with a missionary zeal and won my peoples’ trust. I
persevered to reach every needy person in my area by availing of the various
Welfare Schemes available in the Block. Due to this, I was elected President
of my Panchayat in 1997, which gave me a chance to continue service for
another 5 years. The 2002 PRI election saw the Ramgiri seat being reserved
for ST, so I opted out of the race; but the 2007 elections again saw me back
in the saddle.I have proved to be to be quite a handful for those with vested interests
in the area. From the beginning, I encountered several obstacles to my
leadership. Apart from my political rivals, even the government Officials
created difficulties for me. They taunted me for being a woman who dared
to take on the mantle of power. They had not expected me to rise up to
the challenge and deliver against all odds. However, the combined might
of the unscrupulous officials sometimes prove too much for a lone woman
crusader, who also has to answer to her electorate. The officers adopt a hostile
attitude towards me and withhold important information about Panchayat
matters, allocation, and utilization of funds for various projects. On the other
hand, not being able to account for the work done in the Panchayat lands
me in embarrassing situations. Similarly, the actual beneficiaries are often
left out of various welfare schemes like, Kissan (farmers) cards, BPL, IAY,
Annapurna, Antyodaya etc., due to faulty identification. In spite of repeated
pleas and representations to the BDO, nothing materializes. Rather he asks
me to “show” full utilization of funds even when no development work hasg Sachala Karjee
President
Panchayat: Ramgiri
Block: R. Udayagiri
District: gajapati