‘CM HAS NO HEART FOR TRIBALS; IGNTU DELAYS PROVE IT’

The Pioneer, May 27, 2013

Monday, 27 May 2013 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

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Non-resident Odia (NRO) Professor Digambara Patra has resented the delays made by the State Higher Education Department (DHE) in taking steps for providing necessary infrastructure for establishment of a branch of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkatak in Kalahandi.

He said the IGNTU branch will cater to a large concentration of tribal population in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri,

Nuapada, Raygada, Gajapati, Balangir and Sonepur, when much hue and cry is raised over the development of the tribals. However, the delays by the DHE have made the project uncertain.

Patra said that while the State Government is demanding Special Category Status with so much fuss, it is ignoring the project, which speaks volume about the lack of real concern for tribal development.

“It is very discomforting to know that the State Government is making lots of noise for special category status and special assistance of Rs1,400 crore for Navakalebar festival, but at the same time, it is completely sidelining the IGNTU project, which is meant for the educational benefit for tribal population of the State. If the State Government is unable to implement such an in-hand project in time, what is the use of special category status for the benefit of common man of Odisha except for your party’s political millage over Central leadership?” Patra said in his letter.

The NRO Professor, who is now working in the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, said all the Government was required to do for the establishment of the project was proving infrastructure facilities like a minimum of 300 acres of land, approach road and electricity supply. However, he said while a previous Additional District Magistrate (ADM) had identified the required 300 acres of land in Benda Jhola and Kumudabahal village in Thuamul-Rampur and had informed the same to the DHE, later the DHE allegedly did not initiate the follow-up action.

“Many leaders, including some of the BJD leaders, students and intellectuals from Kalahandi have already given you many petitions and their concerns to take an immediate action in this matter, but your lackluster response to all of our appeals have put us in doubts on your credibility and seriousness towards tribal population and backward region in the State except milking for political millage,” said Patra.