Despite the Housing Urban Development (HUD) Department’s announcement to upgrade Bonai into a Notified Area Council (NAC) in June, 2014, the local residents still are uncertain about the status as no tangible steps have been taken in this regard so far.
Rather, it is still treated as a rural area. This was a longstanding demand of Bonai people and the State Government has been sleeping over it for years.
Sources said the proposed NAC would be formed by merger of Kendrikela and Jakeikela Gram Panchayats with Bonai. Even though in December, 2014, Baliguda of Kandhamal district and Champua of Keonjhar district were made NACs but Bonai was ignored.
Bonai town has its own historic significance. Once upon a time it was the headquarters of princely estate of Bonaigarh and the then king’s partially ramshackle palace still stands here. After independence while Sundargarh became a district, Bonai became the headquarters of a sub-division while Bonai block continues to be treated as a gram panchayat.
Though the subdivision is a mineral rich area and has the maximum contribution to both the State and Central Governments’ exchequer, it has been neglected. As most of the denizens are of tribal community and lead very simple life, their genuine demand for NAC and other rights are easily denied.
Bonai MLA Laxman Munda alleged after announcing the proposal of NAC tag to Bonai in June 2014, no further development took place. Despite several times he urged the district administration, the HUD Department and the Urban Development Minister to take early steps including taking the consent of Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha, to pave way for formation of the NAC soon, it yielded no results.
He said after becoming NAC, the town will be developed in a planned manner with better roads, drainage systems, sanitation, housing units, piped drinking water supply system, new bus stands and street lighting.
Former Bonai MLA and BJD leader Bhimasen Choudhury said he had raised the issue in the State Assembly several times and taken up the matter with the district administration but no steps were taken.
He further said industrial activities have grown in periphery areas of Bonai, but no urban centre has been developed here yet which is a matter of concern. So, without delaying further, efforts should be taken to give NAC status to Bonai soon, demanded Choudhury.