The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Action Committee (SMCAC) on Tuesday urged the Western Odisha lawyers’ Central Action Committee (CAC) to change the mode of agitation and help for smooth run of the developmental process in the region.
“The closure of offices belonging to both the Central and State Government has virtually paralysed the development of the district. At the same time, the Government servants are enjoying holidays," alleged SMACAC advisor Jayabrata Dey at a Press conference here.
Dey further alleged that the students, youths, job aspirants and the common people are suffering untold miseries due to closure of the offices. The job seekers have become unable to get caste, income, residential and other required certificates, Dey added.
“This apart the revenue loss being incurred now goes against public interest. Hence, it is time that CAC should think for the other way of agitation without closing the offices and putting public into trouble,” he suggested.
However, he along with SMCAC joint convenor Phanindra Patnaik and members Debashis Purohit and Ratna Bhushan Pruseth made it clear that they support the lawyers in their demand for establishment of a permanent HC bench in Western Odisha, particularly in Sambalpur.
They also suggested that the headquarters of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) be established at Balangir. “This would maintain equilibrium between Balangir and Sambalpur, the two major claimants for the High Court bench,” they said.