MP proxy oath-taking: Collectors asked to submit reports about action taken

The action was sought after photos and videos of oath ceremonies showing male relatives of the women from Sagar, Damoh and Dhar taking oaths in their place went viral on social media

The Madhya Pradesh panchayati raj department has sought reports from district collectors on action being taken against officials, who allowed oath of male members of families of women sarpanchs and panchs.

In Sagar and Damoh, three panchayat secretaries have been suspended. (Screen grab)

Panchayati raj director Alok Kumar said the collectors have been asked to submit the reports about the action taken against those who made a mockery of women reservation in panchayat polls.

The action was sought after photos and videos of oath ceremonies showing male relatives of the women from Sagar, Damoh and Dhar taking oaths in their place went viral on social media.

In Sagar and Damoh, three panchayat secretaries have been suspended. A committee was formed to take action in Dhar.

Only women were elected as sarpanch and panchs for the first time in Damoh’s Gaisabad but their husbands took oath in presence of panchayat secretary Dhun Singh Rajput. The district administration later organised another oath ceremony for the women and suspended Rajput.

Only eight out of 21 elected women sarpanchs and panchs came up for oath ceremonies in Sagar’s Jaruakheda and Jaisinagar. Panchayat secretaries Rajaram Chandu and Ashrama Sahu were suspended over it while the district collector ordered an inquiry.