The Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), which was formed with an objective to reduce regional imbalance, has completely failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Nuapada district.
The forum’s aim is to bring in balanced development between the coastal and western Odisha by meticulous and systematic planning through succinct and in-depth analysis of the missing link.
However, over the years, the WODC has become a hub for the corrupt politicians to make money by selling projects to contractors. There are gross violations of established rules and procedures in execution of projects at ground level.
Decisions in the WODC are being taken on the guidance of some corrupt and crook politicians of the district, who submit projects to the WODC worth crores of rupees and get those sanctioned without the knowledge of the district authority or the Panchayati Raj institutions.
The Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WODC are well-informed about the violations and corruptions but are silent spectators. Such failures have made the WODC redundant.
This is the summery of a four-page letter sent to Kishore Kumar Mohanty, the Chairman of WODC by some concerned citizens of Khariar under the leadership of Balakrushna Sabar, Chairman of Khariar Panchayat Samiti.
Citing example of a construction work done in Khorla village of larka Panchayat in Boden block, the people have raised question on the execution procedures adopted by different Government executing agencies here.
The WODC had sanctioned Rs 38 lakh for construction of a bridge in Khorla Nala of larka GP in Boden block in the year 2015-16. Instead of going for a tender, the work was done departmentally by the Boden Panchayat Samiti, violating all established procedures and rules of execution. The WODC had earlier instructed the executing agencies to execute works according to established procedures and rules of their respective administrative departments and to follow the office memorandum no.30375/F dated 01.08.1995 of the Finance Department, which states that, the works above an estimate of Rs 1 lakh should not be executed departmentally, but no action has been initiated against officials who have violated the rule.
The letter also states that, some corrupt politicians of Nuapada district without having any constitutional authority submit projects worth crores of rupees, without the knowledge of the district authority and PR institutions, which get sanctioned in the WODC very easily. It further states that a politician of Khariar constituency has submitted projects worth Rs 1.2 crore this year.
“This politician takes bribe from the local contractors and virtually sells works after the projects get administrative sanction by the WODC,” states the letter.
The people have requested that such practices should be stopped, because the projects submitted by the politician are not the felt needs of the villagers.
“The Panchayats should be asked to prepare micro-plans on water harvesting and management of water resources, which should be the basis of project formulation of the WODC,” states the letter, adding that departmental action should be taken against the officials who have violated the rules.