The office continues to remain sealed with villagers keeping vigil round-the-clock. They have not allowed the talati, Parsing Rathwa, to venture inside the office ever since.

Parsing , who is said to be close to saffron parties, has threatened the villagers with dire consequences.

The aggrieved villagers have submitted a written complaint with evidence to the Vadodara district development officer (DD)), C L Patel, and have also demanded Parsing’s transfer.

Parsing, on the other hand, has argued that he had tried to put an end to the illegal practice of obtaining government benefits through fraudulent means by the villagers.

About 7,500 homes in Degla, Nani Amrol and Bordha come under the purview of Bordha Juth Panchayat. Parsing also heads Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad of Pavi Jetpur, which is a Sangh Parivar organisation working for tribal welfare.

On February 5, Parsing was transferred to Ambala in Chhota Udepur. But owing to his political connections, Parsing was back in the Bordha office, said villagers.

“He was hardly present in office for the last three years and did nothing to develop the village. On several occasions, he was found hoarding half of the grant money allotted for the project,” said Kevsing Rathwa, a villager.

“He would demand money from poor villagers for issuing birth and the death certificates,” said Antar Rathwa from Bordha.

He said several villagers have been denied job cards and receipts for payment of house tax. “He would always ask for money to get things done,” said Antar Rathwa.

“The matter has been brought to my notice but we are yet to verify whether the talati is at fault or not,” said the C L Patel.

The DDO said the concerned officials will be asked to visit the villages and sort out the matter. The officials at the taluka level, however, admitted that Parsing has a strong political clout.

“Little can be done in the issue because of political pressure. We will make some alternate arrangements so that the villagers get justice,” said an official refusing to be named.

Parsing, on the other hand, maintained that his attempts to stop irregularities have resulted into opposition.

“I don’t allow them to get false certificates and receipts and that is why they are creating the ruckus,” he said.

“Although I am the district secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, it has nothing to do with my role as talati,” added Parsing.