Villagers in Mandi's Balh Strongly Oppose Proposed Relocation of Sub Post Office
Residents of multiple villages within the Kothi gram panchayat of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, are voicing strong opposition to a proposal to shift the local sub post office from Gurkotha village to Leda village in the Balh Assembly constituency. They argue that the move, if implemented, would severely hinder access to essential postal and financial services, particularly for vulnerable groups like women and the elderly.
Historical Significance and Central Location at Risk
According to JC Sharma, a retired Deputy Director of the State Planning Department and a local resident, the post office branch in Gurkotha village was established around 1948 and upgraded to a sub post office in 1978. Over decades, it has served as a crucial public service hub for numerous surrounding villages. Sharma emphasizes that the current sub post office caters to residents of Kothi, Gurkotha, Sidh Kothi, Kehatri, Beri, Meramasit, Kawalkot, and Mansai villages, as well as several nearby panchayats.
He points out that Gurkotha is centrally located and easily accessible to approximately 50 villages, many of which are situated in challenging hilly terrain. The proposed relocation to Leda village, a distance of 2.4 kilometers away, would make it significantly more difficult for people to access services such as money deposits, withdrawals, and various government welfare schemes.
Allegations of Hasty Decision-Making and Inadequate Information
The villagers allege that the decision to shift the sub post office was made hastily, based on what they describe as incomplete and biased information in a report submitted by the Department of Posts. Sharma claims that this report overlooked critical facts regarding the region's geography, population density, and service requirements. He asserts that the move disregards the practical needs of the local community, especially those who rely on the facility for daily financial transactions.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about transparency in the process. Sharma notes that responses provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to their queries about the reasons for the proposed shift and the absence of public consultation have been inadequate, fueling suspicions about the decision's legitimacy.
Protests and Calls for Reconsideration
On March 8, coinciding with International Women's Day, women from Gurkotha village organized a protest to demand the withdrawal of the proposal. They urged the concerned authorities to reconsider the decision, highlighting the long-standing importance of the Gurkotha sub post office for public convenience. The protest underscored the community's frustration and their plea for maintaining accessible postal services in the area.
The opposition from villagers reflects broader issues of governance and public service accessibility in rural Himachal Pradesh, where such facilities are often lifelines for remote populations.
