Karnataka PDO Association Demands Immediate Arrest in Jewargi Threat Case
The state director of the Panchayat Development Officers (B-Grade) Association, Rajeshwari Sahu, has demanded the immediate arrest of an accused individual who threatened PDO Imtiaz Mamadapur in Jewargi taluk, Kalaburagi district. Sahu submitted a formal letter to Minister Priyank Kharge, urging swift action to address the serious safety concerns.
Details of the Threat Incident
The accused, identified as Ninganna, a resident of Billad village in Jewargi taluk, allegedly verbally abused and threatened to kill female gram panchayat development officer Imtiaz Mamadapur of Nedalagi. A case has been registered against Ninganna at the Nelogi police station, where authorities collected an audio clip from the complainant containing the threats. This audio clip subsequently went viral across Jewargi taluk, amplifying public outrage.
Association's Demands for Employee Safety
In her petition, Rajeshwari Sahu emphasized that strict action must be taken against such individuals, including the opening of a rowdy sheet to monitor the accused. She also called for the government to consider the report of the Meenakshi Sundaram Study Committee, which was constituted to investigate assaults and unnatural deaths among employees of the rural development and panchayat raj department. This move aims to implement measures ensuring the safety and security of all employees in the sector.
Broader Issues: Promotions and Upgradation
Beyond the immediate threat case, Sahu highlighted ongoing issues within the department, including promotion delays, wage discrimination, and the need for post upgradation. She specifically requested the government to upgrade all PDO posts to Group-B grade, arguing that this would improve job security and morale among officers. These demands underscore the association's push for systemic reforms to support rural development workers.
The incident has sparked discussions on the safety of public servants in rural areas, with the association urging authorities to act promptly to prevent further threats and ensure a secure working environment for all PDOs.
