ROURKELA: Prolonged protest by a section of tribals against merger of Jagda and Jhartarang gram panchayats with the newly formed Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) notwithstanding, majority of the people of the two panchayats wish to come under the fold of urban administration.
While Jagda panchayat under Bisra block having a population of about 10,000 is located on the eastern end of Rourkela city, Jhartarang in Lathikata block with 22,000 population is on the western end of the city.
Despite their proximity to Rourkela city, the panchayats continue to be devoid of basic civic amenities like roads, drinking water, sewerage system and street lights.
With no assured source of drinking water, the people are forced to buy it during summer. There is no systematic drainage or garbage disposal system and public sanitation remains a major concern. Some important roads are still named after private owners.
While Rourkela city faces scarcity of land for infrastructure development, about 90 per cent of vacant land in Jagda was bought by non-tribals in past 15 years giving rise to fear of unplanned growth. Currently, at least four commercial apartments and several private buildings are coming up in the panchayat.
Former sarpanch Binod Oram said the quality of life in Jagda is very poor and its merger with RMC could ensure all-round development.
Only about 200 families of Jagda are protesting inclusion of the panchayat in RMC. It is alleged that some influential local tribal leaders, who are in illegal occupation of Government land, are inciting illiterate tribals to resort to agitation.
The scenario is no different in Jhartarang where people are struggling for better civic amenities.
Executive Officer of the municipality DP Mohapatra, who is likely to be promoted as RMC Commissioner, said about 90 per cent population of both panchayats want to come under RMC but a small section of vested interest groups is protesting against the proposal.
