Opposition Congress and BJP MlAs of the region have moved Governor SC Jamir demanding shifting of the headquarters of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) to the council area and enhancing the financial allocation to the WODC to `1,000 crore to effectively remove regional imbalances.
In a petition to the Governor, they have pointed out the massive irregularities and deviation in the functioning of the WODC.
In their petition they have pointed out that as per the statute of the WODC, the Headquarters should be located within the Council area. But since its inception in has been functioning in Bhubaneswar and no effort has been ever been initiated by the State Government to shift it to the WODC area, they have stated.
Seeking hike in allocation of funds to WODC, nomination of MlAs on rotational basis which is being ignored and violated, nomination of ten experts as per WODC Act-2000, the legislators have maintained that same MlAs are being nominated time and again instead of rotational basis.
Accusing the State Government of violating its own notification on the issue, they have said that even experts have not yet been nominated for reasons best known to the State Government. Urging the Governor to kindly impress upon the State Government to adhere to the provisions of WODC Act-2000 and make required amendments, the legislators have said that the purpose for which the Council was formed is getting diluted instead of reducing regional imbalances.
In a separate memorandum, they have said that the usual practice is MlAs of the Council area putforth development projects based on need and demand of the people for sanction of funds and its execution. But during the tenure of the presence Chairman of WODC Kishore Mohanty, he has been ignoring the suggestion of the elected representatives and executing projects as per his whims and fancies.
Even laid down norms of the State Government is being flouted openly by the Chairman of WODC in execution of work and equitable distribution of funds not maintained, they have added.
Citing instances of work being awarded to selected contractors of the Chairman without tender, they have alleged that even the local MP and MlAs are not being invited during foundation stone laying or inauguration of the Projects.
Expressing concern at the compromise in quality of work being executed, the MlAs have demanded special audit and Vigilance probe to look into irregularities in execution of work by the WODC and ensure open tender process to promote transparency.
Among others,Jharsuguda MlA Naba Kisore Das, Brajrajnagar MlA Radharani Panda, Sundargarh MlA Jogesh Singh, Talsara MlA Prafulla Majhi besides other opposition MlAs have signed the petition.