demand. Later on, the villagers and I raised Rs.1500 for the cost of the
medical expenses.
I wish to have a hospital in my Panchayat (with at least five beds), because
even though the village is close to the Block headquarters (seven Kilometres),
there are only two public buses, with a limited service twice a day. People have
to walk a distance of three kilometres to catch the bus from the main road, due
to which the aged, sick and pregnant woman suffer severely and many a times,
it then leads to further complication.
The Panchayat auctioned the eucalyptus trees that were grown in the Panchayat
land and I wanted to use the proceeds to fix sodium lights in the village. When
I went to the shop to crosscheck the cost of the fittings, the shop owner told
us that the cost of the bulb is Rs. 3500, and asked if I wanted a bill for Rs.
5000, as is the usual practice. I was horrified by the suggestion and as we were
making a bulk purchase, I refused to pay Rs. 3500 and successfully negotiated
with the seller and reduced the price further. There are now about 8 – 10 light
fixtures in all the villages/wards of the Panchayat.
Our village faced an acute water shortage, as a Ward Member, I regularly
monitored the work of the new bore-well which was being dug, followed up
on it and raised the issue in front of the Secretary and other officials. The
Panchayat has finally been able to get access to a continuous water supply to
all the villages.