Family blames work pressure at off ice

Pandavapura: A woman Panchayat Development Officer (PDO), who was on duty, collapsed and died at the Taluk Panchayat (TP) Office in the town yesterday. The deceased PDO is Bharathi (54), a resident of Vasanthanagar in Mysuru. She was serving as the Secretary at Tubinakere Gram Panchayat (GP) in Mandya taluk and was recently promoted as the PDO.

After being promoted, Bharathi was transferred to Gummanahalli GP in Pandavapura taluk. She leaves behind her ailing husband Prakash and one daughter.

It is learnt that RTI activist Ramesh, who is the husband of the GP Vice-President, had complained about sub-standard works of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) which were taken up at all GPs including Gummanahalli.

On Monday, MLA Darshan Puttanaiah and TP Executive Officer (EO) Lokesh Murthy had summoned Bharathi and complainant Ramesh to discuss the issue. After the meeting, Bharathi reportedly suffered severe chest pain and collapsed in the Office. She was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in the town, where she was provided first-aid and was later shifted to a hospital in Mysuru where she breathed her last.

The body of Bharathi was taken to the TP Office where it was kept for some time for the staff and public to pay their last respects and was later shifted to Mysuru. Meanwhile, Bharathi’s family members and relatives have alleged that due to pressure from RTI activists, Bharathi had suffered a heart attack besides stating that there was pressure for PDOs in their Offices.