Eshwar Khandre Orders Notice to Hunsur PDO Over Mahatma Gandhi Nameboard

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B Khandre directed officials to issue a notice to the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of Karimuddanahalli Grama Panchayat in Hunsur taluk for failing to include Mahatma Gandhi's name on the panchayat building's nameboard.

The minister made a surprise visit to the Karimuddanahalli panchayat office on Monday while travelling to attend religious ceremonies at Sri Kendagannaswamy Temple in Gaddige village.

Upon finding that the PDO had not implemented the state government's mandate, Khandre instructed Mysuru Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S Ukesh Kumar, who was present during the inspection, to issue an official notice to the officer.

The Karnataka government had previously issued a circular directing all grama panchayats across the state to adopt the name 'Mahatma Gandhi Panchayat' by August 15.

The state government's directive followed the Central government's amendment of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act into the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), also known as VB-G RAM G.