A Kurukshetra University professor today claimed that schemes introduced by Bibipur Sarpanch Sunil Jaglan, who was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his ‘selfie with daughters’ idea, have made no difference to the lives of women in the village.
A senior Kurukshetra University (KU) Geography Professor, Mahabir Jaglan today claimed that a survey done by KU students in 2012 disputed Bibipur’s claim to fame in terms of efforts made in the drive against female foeticide and to bring changes in the women’s lives.
He claimed the survey found that the village was no better than other villages in social parameters. “The overall gender ratio in the village is 866, which is lower than the Haryana average.”
The sarpanch was also suspended by Jind Deputy Commissioner in March for irregularities in the panchayat’s functioning. However, his suspension was later stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Jind District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO), Rakesh Kumar today said Sunil was suspended following a complaint that he installed a submersible tubewell from panchayat funds at a private residence rather than at a common place.
Kumar said more complaints regarding misuse and misappropriation of funds by Sunil had been received and a departmental probe was on in this regard.
Meanwhile, Sunil claimed that he was doing good work for the village and carrying out a campaign against female foeticide but despite all this, he was being harassed by the administration and politicians and added, “I don’t know why they are against me”.
He claimed that he had spent Rs 5 crore, including grants from the state and the central governments, on various works in the village during the past five years.
He, however, failed to answer questions about the sex ratio in his village for the past five years, but claimed that 19 girls were born against 16 boys during the past one year.