Vadodara: The Anand district development officer (DDO) issued a show-cause notice to the sarpanch of Nisraya village, Smita Vijaysinh Raj, under Section 57(1) of the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993, for alleged administrative and procedural lapses in the functioning of the panchayat.The notice came after a complaint by one Vijaykumar Kapadia and an inquiry by the Borsad taluka development officer. The DDO sought an explanation on why action, including removal from office, ought to not be taken against the sarpanch.One issue concerns the demolition of an old house/wadi on property No. 711, which was in the panchayat’s possession. The inquiry found no records to establish that the structure or material from its demolition was disposed of through the prescribed auction process. Questions have also been raised over the absence of a gram panchayat resolution and approval from the competent authority.The notice also questions if due process was followed for the construction of a new structure at the site, including preparation of plans and estimates, issuing of a work order and obtaining approvals.Another issue relates to soil filling on 20 gunthas in Survey No. 439/part for installation of a statue of an NRI donor. While a Feb 24, 2025 gram sabha resolution proposed the statue at Netaji Chowk, opposite Khodiyar Temple, the inquiry found it on land forming part of the village lake area. The notice questions whether permission was obtained for the soil filling.The DDO also sought a clarification on lake beautification work proposed through a Jan 12, 2026 gram sabha resolution, including whether the required proposal, DPR, estimate, work order and administrative and technical approvals were obtained.Raj has been given 10 days from receipt of the notice to submit her explanation with supporting documents. The allegations are part of show-cause proceedings and do not constitute a final finding.
