Sangram Keshari Mohapatra is currently the Collector of Khordha district under the very nose of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He was chosen as the Collector of this sensitive district after having carved a niche for himself during his administrative career. He joined the Odisha Administrative Service in 1991. He served in various capacities in 13 districts and proved his mettle as a time-tested administrator. He worked as a Joint Secretary and an Additional Secretary in five important departments in the Secretariat. He was the founder-Secretary of Odia Virtual Academy, an endeavour by the Government of Odisha to digitalise precious manuscripts and works of eminent litterateurs. He was also the Additional Secretary E&IT when almost a thousand Odia books were digitalised. He was also Additional Secretary, Agriculture and OSD “Kalia” (a flagship programme of the Government). Climbing the hierarchical ladder, he was posted as Collector, Jagatsinghpur, where he made a paradigm shift in constructive works like augmenting hospital beds and bridging the hiatus between public and the Collector, a practice which he is adhering to religiously as the Khordha Collector. His grievance chamber remains open almost round the clock.
In an interview to The Pioneer, Mohapatra spokes to Sugyan Choudhury at his Khordha chamber.
How is your district geared up to meet the pandemic scenario?
The Covid situation in my district is showing a decreasing trend and there is no panic about it. Khordah district has two municipalities, two NACs and one corporation; and the people are coming from our nearest metropolis Bhubaneswar, for which the increase in patients is registered. Detection of cases is not a thing to worry about as it leads to more tracking, treating and testing. The district has fared well during the 3rd wave as we have completed 100% vaccination for the 1st dose, 87% for the 2nd dose; and for children below 18 years of age we have completed 75% of vaccination.
How is this politically-sensitive district getting readied to contain any untoward situation during the panchayat elections?
It is but natural that there has been a lot of political activities in the district which includes the State capital, but the administration has been fair with charity to all and malice to none. Police and Magistracy are maintaining a constant vigil. No untoward incident has yet been reported so far. I believe the elections will be a free and fair.
What are the measures being undertaken to put Khordha in the tourist map?
Khordha is the treasure trove of Odisha. It abounds in many ancient historical places and beauty spots. I am thankful to Hon’ble Chief Minister for the development of tourist spots of the district. A lot of money has been sanctioned for beautification of spots like Dhauli. For the three important religious shrines, Barunei Temple, Bhagabati Temple and Ugratara Temple, Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned and works will follow suit just after the model code of conduct is over. An IB at the hot spring at Atri will be completed soon. The Tourism Department is preserving and beautifying the birthplace of Jayadev at Kendubilwa. We are also working in embellishing many beauty spots at Bolagarh, Begunia and Chilika lagoon.
What has been done to bring to book quarry mafias in the district?
You will be glad to know that there has been a strict raid by a joint collaboration of police and magistrate. Over 100 vehicles like trucks, mini-trucks, hywas have been seized. I have made it clear that any vehicle caught with illegal activities shall be fined not less than Rs 1 lakh. Consequently, we have collected over Rs 1 crore during past two months.
How are the 5T norms observed in your district?
One thing you may notice on my table that it has no physical file piled here. My focus has always has been transparent administration and good governance. I always give emphasis for e-filling from panchayat to the Collectorate. I have made it clear that the entire district administration should run through OSWAS. The offices of Sub-Collector, Khordha; Sub-Collector, Bhubaneswar; ADM, Bhubaneswar; and DRDA, Khordha have come under OSWAS in these two months. And perhaps, ours is the best Collectorate in the State. I’m sure people will get the best of the 5T benefits through technology.
What are the plans for a holistic development of the district?
Khordha districts is suffering from acute shortage of water supply and the Chief Minister has recently inaugurated Rs 400-crore mega pipe water supply projects to cater to the needs of people of Bolagarh, Begunia, Chilika, Jatni, Khordha. Each house will be supplied drinking water by the end of 2023.
What are you doing to weed out corruption in the district administration?
I always value honesty and truthfulness as the twin core human values. I strongly believe that if these two qualities shall be pursued, it will herald a new dawn for the masses as they believe strongly in the administration. I have made it mandatory here that each official should declare his assets before joining office. Accordingly, I have also declared my property before joining here. This will definitely enhance the public image of the administration. This was also my practice during my last station at Jagatsinghpur.
How do you combine your administration with your creative endeavour?
I have produced 12 books so far. I use my time profitably devoting myself to writing. Some of them are anthologies, some tribal poetry collections like Kissan, Khadia and Oram tribes of Sundargarh. I have also some translation works from Odia to English and from English to Odia. Recently, I have translated the autobiography of Jnanpeeth award winner Sitakant Mahapatra. The Hon’ble Governor of Odisha is shortly going to inaugurate m
