BERHAMPUR: Berhampur MP Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy on Monday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene an immediate high-level meeting to address what he described as alleged neglect of Ganjam, Gajapati and the greater south Odisha region.
In a letter to the chief minister, Panigrahy questioned the reported exclusion of Berhampur University and Khallikote Unitary University from proposed university township and infrastructure development initiatives. The two institutions, he said, being major centres of higher education in south Odisha, should be accorded priority in such programmes.
The MP also opposed the proposed merger of the Berhampur Railway Mail Service (RMS) division with Cuttack, arguing that the Berhampur unit has a significant role in ensuring postal connectivity across south Odisha.
He also objected to the exclusion of MPs from deliberations of the South Odisha Development Council (SODC). Elected representatives from the region, he said, should have a role in discussions and decisions relating to its development.
Stating that the apathy has led to growing resentment, Panigrahy flagged the slow progress of several proposed infrastructure projects in Ganjam and Gajapati, including major roads, flyovers, port-based industries, river conservation and irrigation projects.
He demanded a special development package for Ganjam and Gajapati and raised concerns over higher education, postal services, regional planning and infrastructure. Workers’ organisations, employees’ associations and intellectual groups had recently voiced grievances over what they termed administrative neglect of the region, he said.
Panigrahy urged Majhi to hold a meeting with the chief secretary and secretaries of departments to review pending proposals and set timelines for their implementation. He also sought a comprehensive development package for Ganjam and Gajapati stating that focused intervention was necessary to address regional aspirations and ensure balanced development of south Odisha.
