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They argued that without permanent technical infrastructure and reliable internet access in all villages, enforcing online attendance is “impractical and detached from ground reality.” According to them, the digital system being pushed by the government is ineffective at the grassroots level.
Gram Panchayat secretaries oppose online attendance system
Maharajganj: Gram Panchayat secretaries in the district staged a massive protest at the Pharenda block headquarters on Friday, opposing the online attendance system and alleging an excessive workload. A large group of secretaries gathered at the block premises and held a peaceful demonstration to press their demands.
Protesting secretaries, including Pradeep Kumar Dubey and Abhishek Pandey, said each secretary has been assigned responsibility for four to five Gram Panchayats, making it “impossible” to visit every village every day just to mark online attendance. They pointed out that many villages are located far from one another and also suffer from poor network connectivity, making the attendance system unworkable.
They argued that without permanent technical infrastructure and reliable internet access in all villages, enforcing online attendance is “impractical and detached from ground reality.” According to them, the digital system being pushed by the government is ineffective at the grassroots level.
The secretaries further complained of inadequate internet availability and a lack of basic equipment in several Gram Panchayats. They stated that before implementing such a system, the government should have ensured stable connectivity and technical resources across rural areas.
They also alleged that their workload has increased significantly, with responsibilities beyond their job profile, including revenue surveys, health campaigns, technical surveys, and reporting for multiple government schemes. This additional burden, they said, is affecting core Panchayat work and delaying development activities.
During the protest, the secretaries submitted a memorandum to the block administration demanding the abolition of the online attendance system, balanced work distribution, and proper technical facilities at the Gram Panchayat level. They warned that the agitation would intensify if their demands were not met.
A large number of secretaries participated in the peaceful demonstration, claiming their demands were justified and urging the government to take immediate action.
