The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Villagers stage dharna

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 31, 2006
ePaper

Other States

Other States - Orissa

Villagers stage dharna

Staff Reporter

Demand BDO's transfer

BERHAMPUR: Villagers from Kantamala block in Boudh district of soutth Orissa staged a dharna in front of the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern range in the city on Saturday demanding transfer of their Block Development Officer (BDO) Biswanath Barik. They alleged that the BDO had several allegations of corruption against him and was involved in local politics, which would hamper impartial conduct of panchyat polls in the area.

Memo submitted

Convener of the Jansurakhya Manch of Kantamala block Suresh Chandra Rana, who led the agitators, said they handed over a memorandum to the RDC C.T.M.Suguna.

They also decided to send 5,000 post cards from their block to the President demanding the transfer of the BDO before panchayat polls.

They would also hold similar dharna in front of the Rajbhavan in Bhubaneswar to press for the same demand.

The post of block chairperson of the Kantamala block is reserved for Scheduled Caste woman.

It is alleged that Mr Barik has been trying to get one of his relatives elected to the post for which he is allegedly utilising the Government machinery.

Before the last assembly polls he had been transferred from the Kantamala block to Sonepur block following certain allegations against him.

But he again managed to get back as BDO of Kantamala block.

The Boudh collector had also convened a meeting on December 26 to discuss allegations against the BDO.

As no decision had been taken regarding his transfer, the inhabitants of Kantamala block decided to take up the issue with the higher-ups.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States