Hundreds of activists of the Kendrapara Town Congress and Block Congress organised a demonstration in front of the Kendrapada municipality protesting its failure to address the problems of the people and corruption in the civic body.
The activists alleged that the RTI Act has been reduced to a farce as information related to financial assistance to SHG groups is regularly denied. leveling a barrage of charges, they said no birth or death certificates are issued without hands greased to the venal employees.
A sum of Rs 10 lakh was duped in special problem fund on the Biju Patnaik Park, while under the Integrated Housing Development scheme an amount of Rs 1.17 crore was paid illegally to the contractors without projects being completed. The beneficiaries under the SJRY, the NFBP and the Madhu Babu Pension Scheme were selected by the municipal council allegedly by flouting the norms.
The Congress activists demanded completion of the Tinimuhani-Angulai road on war footing basis to take adequate measures for drainage facilities, conduct vigilance inquiry into the project allegedly being constructed in deviation from the plan and estimate, release funds for construction of a sewerage system, recommend granting smart city status to Kendrapara, and install generator set provided to Baladevjew temple.
The Congress activists later submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Executive Officer. They threatened to launch a stir in the coming days for the larger interest of the district. Ali Congress MlA Debendra Sharma, Rajnagar MlA Ansuman Mohanty, former Minister Ganeswar Behera, Town Congress Committee president Soumendra Kumar Prusty and other Congress leaders participated.