No decision yet on WODC’s headquarters

The Pioneer, Jan 30, 2009
PNS | Bhubaneswar

The MPs and MLAs of Western Orissa on Thursday again failed to reach a consensus on the establishment of the headquarters of the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC).

While people's representatives from Sambalpur demanded that the headquarters should be set up in Sambalpur, members from Balangir wanted that it should be set up in their district. Representatives from Kalahandi argued for their district. Sundargarh leaders demanded that the HQs of WODC should be set up at Rourkela. The meeting was held two years after.

In order to usher development in Western Orissa, the State Government set up the Western Orissa Development Council in 2000. As no decision has yet been taken regarding site selection for the establishment of the headquarters, the main office of the Western Orissa Development Council is functioning from the State capital itself.

In order to reach a consensus on the selection of the site, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the State Planning and Co-ordination Minister Duryodhan Majhi.

In order to remain free from public accusation, the MLAs and MPs from western Orissa said they would abide by the Government's decision on the establishment of the WODC’s Headquarters.