The Nikhil Odisha Paika Mahasangha on Sunday held a State-level convention here and demanded that the Union and the State Governments take steps for welfare of the Paika community.
Mahasangha members alleged that none of the developmental schemes of the Governments have reached them and no special scheme earmarked for them.
They demanded reservation for Paika in employment and education, conferment of State game status to the ‘Paika Akhada’, provision of special allowance or Paikas, introducing Paika Akhada as a special sport in all schools and colleges and creation of a Paika regiment and giving a status like NCC and Scout and Guide to it.
They welcomed the Central Government for providing special fund for celebration of the 200 th year of the Paika Rebellion and the State Government for celebrating it in a grand manner. Ashok Kumar Paltasingh was elected as the State president of the ahasangha.Among others, Dr Gayan Samal, Dhenkanal district president Prasanna Dalabehera, Angul district president Ranjan Bisoyi, Cuttack district president Rajkishore Behera, Bhubaneswar president Ajay Nayak, Arat Pradhan, Ranjan Baliarsingh, Bhaskar Sundaray, Kedar Das, Jitendra Mansingh, Manoranjan Paschimakabata were present.
