Orissa's KBK region needs more than subsidy on rice

merinews, April 16, 2009
Strangely, none of the political parties promise a better deal to these areas in their manifestos in terms of infrastructure, health and education. The only thing they do assure is subsidy on rice. But this region needs more than subsidies..

THERE SEEMS to be no political will to solve the longstanding problems of the Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur constituencies of Orissa, one of the most backward regions of the country as reinforced in a survey conducted by India Today. Strangely, none of the political parties, including the Indian National Congress Party (INC), Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), promise a better deal to these areas in their manifestos in terms of infrastructure, health and education. The only thing they do assure is subsidy on rice. But this region needs more than subsidies to achieve long-term sustainable growth.


Many of the local demands of the Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) region have not been met since the past two decades despite promises made by the state chief minister and other leaders. Some of these are -- a bridge over Hati river near Junagarh, railway link between Bolangir and Koraput via Nuapada, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur, and a railway coach factory in Kalahandi.

KBK at this moment needs intensive irrigation projects, new railway line, railway factory, medical colleges, state highway, new bridges and downstream industrial development. A proposed downstream industrial park in Kalahandi is lying in cold storage since the past five years. The Biju KBK Yojana seems to be nothing but a mere eyewash.

What’s worse, the health scenario in the region is dismal with diseases like malaria and AIDS becoming rampant. Given such a scenario, government medical colleges and health centers are the need of the hour.

In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, President of Biju Janata Dal and Jual Oram, national vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party, it has been urged to immediately include the above in their respective party manifestos towards the long-term development of KBK.