The Dhenkanal district administration organised the Utkal Divas in an autocratic manner only with involments of a few sycophants. Earlier, the district Collectors before celebrations of August 15, January 26, Utkal Divas, Dhenkanal Mahotsav Laxmipuja, Jorandamela and Mahasiva Ratri were inviting senior citizens, senior-journalists, cultural and literary organisations, NGOs, veteran artists, former Ministers and eminent person to meeting. Based on their opinions, various committees were constituted to decide who are to be awarded and which cultural teams to perform programme for the year. This time it appeared the District Information and Public Relations Officer forgot to develop relationship among public. To add insult to injury, the District Cultural Council has been lying defund for last five years, after district Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu was transferred from Dhenkanal.
A large amount of money is spent on cultural head without approval of the cultural council. Senior citizens, journalists, cultural organisations and other eminent persons were not invited to the preparatory meeting of the Utkal Divas.
Most of the chairs remained vacant after Zilla Parisad President Archana Puhan, Municipality Chairperson Jayanti Patra and Sadar MLA Sudhir Samal left the meeting place with their supporters.