Rugna Hakka Parishad stages ‘Jagaran-Gondhal’ protest demanding the prompt issuance of income certificates
Pune: Alleging deliberate delays by the Pune City and Haveli tehsil offices in issuing income certificates—critical for availing medical treatment and educational admissions—members of the Rugna Hakka Parishad (RHP) staged a ‘Jagaran-Gondhal’ protest on Shivaji Road.
The symbolic protest, which took the form of a religious folk performance intended to ‘awaken’ the authorities, was led by RHP’s founder-president, Umesh Chavan, in front of the Mamledar (Tehsildar) office. Several activists and supporters participated in the demonstration, including city coordinator Aparna Marne-Sathe, Sanjay Alhat of the Lok Janashakti Party, Shyam Gaikwad of the Bhimchhava Organisation, and activists Kavita Dadar, Prabha Avalelu, Sonali Owhal, Rekha Waghmare, and others.
Accompanied by traditional percussionists (gondhalis), the protestors chanted slogans such as “Chang Bhal Tehsildar” (Awaken, Tehsildar) and “Grant justice to the poor patient, O Lord!”
Speaking on the occasion, Umesh Chavan said, “This spiritually-inspired protest is aimed at waking up the sleeping administration. Patients have been discharged from hospitals, and students are nearing the end of the admission cycle, yet the income certificates they need remain pending. For the past month, there has been an intentional slowdown in processing these essential documents. As a result, poor patients are unable to avail themselves of benefits under free healthcare schemes.”
Chavan further pointed out that even private e-service centres are charging arbitrary fees and still take 20 to 25 days to issue the certificates. “Families are selling homes, mortgaging jewellery, or borrowing money just to bridge this gap. But without the certificates, they are deprived of crucial government benefits, leaving their households on the brink of collapse,” he added.
The Forum demanded that income certificates be issued in a timely and transparent manner to prevent such hardship.
