BHUBANESWAR: Senior Congress leaders on Wednesday demanded a special package for all-round development of KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput districts) region.
The team led by former minister Narasingh Mishra discussed the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi. Backwardness of the area is one of the reasons behind increase in Maoist activities, Mishra told this paper. Alleging large-scale irregularities in the implementation of Central schemes in the State, the delegation demanded constitution of committees by the Centre at the State and district levels to supervise implementation of the welfare schemes. Stating that the State Government is trying to cover up the irregularities by delaying investigation, the Congress leaders said that the Centre should inquire into dal, mining and linkage coal scams and take follow-up action. The delegation demanded a special project for provision of drinking water in tribal areas. Former OPCC president and AICC secretary Jaydeb Jena, former speaker Kishore Chandra Patel and former MLA Chiranjib Biswal were part of the team.