Leadership gap: Gadag ZP functioning without a full-time CEO for six months

Gadag: Gadag district is in the national news after a treasure was found in Lakkundi since Dec 2025. It needs full-fledged officials for key posts like deputy commissioner, ZP CEO, etc. However, the govt has allegedly forgotten to transfer an official for the ZP CEO post after the transfer of Bharat S in Aug 2025. DC CN Sreedhara was given additional charge of ZP CEO, and he is the administrator for Gadag-Betgeri City Municipal Council (GBCMC) too.It should be noted that the ZP CEO has the responsibility of about 30 departments, while the DC handles about 15 departments. It should be noted that the current district minister HK Patil has experience of handling the portfolio of rural development and panchayat raj, and Gadag has a university teaching rural development as a subject to graduates.RV Patil Sureshgouda, a progressive farmer in Hulkoti, said that in-charge officials are discharging their duties. "Some former ZP/TP members are also ensuring needed services for people by coordinating with MLAs. Some works may be deferred, but nothing has been stopped. However, this arrangement is not accepted for longer terms like 6 months. Govt should appoint an IAS officer for the post immediately," he pressed.Bapugouda Bharamagoudra, another farmer in Yalavatti village, noted that since ZP CEO's charge is additionally given to the DC, the responsibilities are diverted. "DC is already fully occupied with his own responsibilities and is also looking after GBCMC as an administrator. One should note that there is no presence of taluk panchayats and zilla panchayat akin to other districts," he observed.Vishwanath Khanapur, president, Gadag Zilla Vikas Vedike, noted that higher officials do not stay longer in Gadag for unknown reasons. "We often get promoted UAS hands as DC and ZP CEO, but direct IASs hardly stay here. It should be noted that the ZP CEO post was vacant for 8 months between July 2023 and March 2024, and the Gadag DC ML Vaishali was given additional charge," he mentioned.He also noted that a full-fledged ZP CEO is the need of the hour in the wake of the forthcoming summer. "Rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) department should gear up to tackle the situation of scarcity of drinking water, fodder and water for domestic animals, and tackle a possible situation of drought or heavy rains," he asserted.District minister HK Patil was unavailable for comment.BoxGadag district has 337 villages and 122 gram panchayats. About 64% of the total population resides in rural areas.