BHUBANESWAR: Politics and politicians are gradually lacking ethics and idealism. The platform is being used as a source of earning money. There is a serious dearth of sense of responsibility for the State and constituents among elected leaders today, said Excise and Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout here.
Addressing the 16th death anniversary of iconic leader Chintamani Panigrahi on Friday, Rout said it was a challenging task to inherit the legacy of statesmen like Panigrahi and Biju Patnaik. Starting from student activism to trade union and fighting for the cause of farmers, Panigrahi made an effective impact on all spheres of life, he added.
“The State exchequer bears a huge cost when the Assembly is in session. However, it pains to witness that the session does not even last for more than five minutes,” Rout said.
Chief speaker on the occasion, Bipin Bihari Rath said Panigrahi always kept in touch with his voters by writing letters and his contribution to freedom struggle and for the cause of farmers is unmatched.
The function was organised by Chintamani Panigrahi Memorial Trust (CPMT) which awarded 14 eminent personalities from different walks of life.
Rout gave away awards to freedom fighter Bipin Bihari Rath; Resident Editor of The New Indian Express, Odisha, Srimoy Kar; social activist Patitapaban Panda and others. Among others, former PCC president Niranjan Patnaik, CPMT chairman and former police DG Gopal Nanda and senior journalist Gurukalyan Mohapatra were present.