ROURKELA: His statement on inclusion of Sundargarh district in the proposed Northern Odisha Development Council (NODC) drawing Opposition ire, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday sought to put the issue to rest.
Taking to his X handle, @MohanMOdisha, the chief minister stated, “The people of Sundargarh have been blessing us for many years and we respect the sentiments of the people of Sundargarh. Therefore, the government will not take any action against the wishes of the people of Sundargarh. The state government is committed to the overall development of Sundargarh district.”
Earlier, Rajgangpur MLA CS Raazen Ekka had said, “The people of Sundargarh are socially, culturally, emotionally and geographically one and attached to western Odisha. Don’t try to divide us.” He said the move of the BJP government appeared to divert attention from various key issues including the demand for AIIMS in Sundargarh.
The Congress MLA further demanded the Majhi government to urgently declare a chairperson for the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), and ensure proper fund allocation and utilisation. Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh too echoed similar views and warned the chief minister of intense agitation if he did not withdraw his statement.
Members of the Sundargarh District Congress Committee (SDCC) on Monday had held a protest demonstration at Sundargarh town flaying the government’s move. A delegation of Western Odisha Yuva Manch (WOYM) on Tuesday in a memorandum to the chief minister through the ADM urged withdrawal of the statement.
WOYM president Dinesh Patel said the chief minister’s remark hints at the step-motherly outlook towards the region and has incited revolt in the minds of the people of Sundargarh. Sundargarh’s identity, tradition, culture and geography are inalienable from western Odisha, Patel said, adding Sundargarh is the birthplace of field hockey in Odisha and the government’s move showed its dismissive outlook for the district. He said Sundargarh’s immense contribution to the freedom struggle, rich art, culture and heritage along with the Rourkela Steel Plant, BPUT and Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium proudly identify with western Odisha. He said the district has been playing a significant role in WODC.
Majhi, on the sidelines of the third phase launch of the Subhadra scheme on Sunday had said,” I want inclusion of Sundargarh in NODC to expedite development of the district at a fast pace.” A BJP leader requesting anonymity said owing to the general slope of the district from north to south, the chief minister from a geographic point of view might have wanted it to be included in the proposed NODC.