A new forum has been set up to demand formation of an autonomous regional council for the KBK region (undivided Koraput, Kalahandi, Balangir and Kandhmal districts).
The forum that was formed here comprises leaders of Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir, Suabarnpur, Boudh and Kandhamal, the 10 districts under the KBK region, who were present at a meeting here.
The forum would fight for fulfilment of aspirations of the people of the region. Formation of an autonomous council is allowed under the Constitutional framework, forum convenor and senior lawyer N Ahmed said.
According to the decisions taken, the forum would be a non-political organisation and people from all walks of life from the KBK region would be a part of it, he said.
In addition, a decision was also taken to collect all data concerning the region and its people, contribution of revenue of the region to the Government, funds allotted to the region, poverty, backwardness and economy of the region, deprivation of basic needs, state of health, education, employment problems and regional imbalance, Ahmed said.
The forum alleged that successive Governments have failed in providing basic needs to the people of the region even after 72 years of Independence.
Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said people of the region have not got the rights and benefits which have been assured in the Constitution. As a result, a big gap has been created between the KBK region and other areas in the State.
Former Nabarangpur BJP MP Parsuram Majhi said a team should be set up to visit the existing autonomous councils in other States. Congress leader and former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das made an elaborate presentation of the socioeconomic issues concerning the people of the region. The need of the hour is an autonomous regional council for the region and to launch a peaceful movement to get it, Das said.
The regional imbalance between the KBK region and rest of the State is clearly visible in every sphere, former Kandhmal MP Nakul Naik said.
A number of former legislators of the region also spoke in support of creation of an autonomous regional council for the KBK region.