Bantwal: Gram Panchayat members of Vittal boycotted the Gram Sabha held on Saturday July 5 and sat on a dharna  at the venue in protest against the failure of the Gram Panchayat to hold ward meetings and to issue door numbers to poor who have constructed houses on government land.

The first Gram Sabha of the Vittal GP for the year 2014-15 was held at the Government Model School premises. When GP members came to  know that the PDO  has decided against issuing door numbers to people residing in government lands,  they boycotted the meeting  and warned to boycott all future meetings if their demands were not fulfilled.

Though GP Chief Bhavani Rai Kolya said a letter has been written to the DC on the issue, it did not satisfy the members. The GP members also objected to the poor participation of villagers in the meeting by pointing out at the register which had the signature of only 84 villagers.

Even PDO Vivekananda D tried to explain by stating that door numbers can be issued only after the land was regularised. He also said the ward level meeting could not be held as the ward committee members were absent. He also  blamed the GP members for the same.

GP Vice President Abdul Khader, TP member Juliana Mary Lobo and other officials were present.