MlAs cutting across party line demanded an increase in the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) annual grant while the opposition Congress and BJP members insisted on shifting its headquarters to the western region.
Participating in an adjournment motion brought by Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Naba Das, Subal Sahu, Yogesh Kumar Singh of Congress and BJP members Pradeep Purohit and Radharani Panda alleged that the functioning of the WODC is not satisfactory and the organisation, created to resolve regional imbalances, has become a rehabilitation centre for BJD leaders and workers rejected by people in the last general elections.
They too alleged that the Chairman is using red beacon on his car in violation of the Supreme Court order and has issued work orders of lakhs of rupees without issuing tenders.
“The mere `100 crore is insufficient for taking development activities of 10 districts under the WODC. The amount should be increased to `1,000 crore and its main office should be shifted to any part of the western Odisha,” demanded the Opposition members.
BJD members like Padmanav Behera, Ayub Khan and Dr Raseswari Panigrahi refuted the charges. However, they demanded that the WODC fund be increased to `500 crore per annum.
Intervening into the discussion, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said the WODC has missed its objectives while persons having no expertise have been appointed as expert members. There is a need to strengthen it and give it to special power so that its objectives can be achieved, Mishra said.
In her reply, Minister Usha Devi said the WODC is functioning as per the rules and heading to achieve its goal. So far, the organisation has sanctioned 28,782 projects amounting to `1,250.89 crore in irrigation, drinking water, education, electrification, health and road projects. Expressing unhappiness over the Minister’s reply, the opposition members staged a walkout.