Hidisingh Irrigation Project In Limbo As BJD Leaders Indulge In Panchayat Poll Gimmick

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

As the Panchayat election is drawing near, several leaders of the ruling Biju Janata Dal(BJD) have embarked upon laying foundation stones of various projects in Angul district to send a message to the electorate that they are the leaders who are concerned with their wellbeing, although the reality is different.

Media reports said Deputy Speaker of Odisha Assembly and Angul MLA Rajanikanta Singh laid the foundation stone of different projects at Baragaunia, Badakantalkul, Nuakheta, New Raiguda and other places under Bantala police station in Angul Sub-Division recently to woo voters in the upcoming Panchayat poll.

Singh laid the foundation stones for two bridges to be built over Nuaghai Nala and Aandhari Nala at Nuakheta-Badakantakul and some development projects at New Raiguda. He also attended two programmes at Bargaunia and Badakantakul under Odisha government's most ambitious Mo School project for transformation of educational institutions.

It is a fact that several irrigation projects in Bantala region in Angul district are in limbo due to lack of political will of the representatives they have chosen to deliver the goods. None of the leaders of the ruling clique seemed to be little worried over the matter, but as the panchayat poll is drawing near, they are out to prevail upon the voters to get their support for their aspiring cronies who are likely to be fielded.

Hidisingh Medium Irrigation Project(MIP) was conceived over decades ago, yet there is no headway due to lack of political will. The file, sources said, is gathering dust due to lack of environmental clearance. It was decided that the loss of forest due to the irrigation project will be compensated by adequate afforestation in Angul, Deogarh and Dhenkanal forest divisions. Yet, it is alleged that the work for the project is going at a snail's pace.

The irony is that the leaders themselves vie with each other to rake up Hidisingh MIP issue at the hustings when casting of ballots comes near, be it in assembly or parliament. But, they tend to forget the issue altogether as soon as the poll heat is over.

Reports said Talcher MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan and Pallahara MLA Mukesh Pal are on a spree to inaugurate Community Halls and other utilities at different panchayats keeping an eye on the ensuing panchayat election.

Dhenkanal MP Mahesh Sahoo has also not left himself behind in the race in view of the upcoming panchayat poll. Sahoo attended a function for upgradation of the vegetable market at NTPC in Kaniha possibly with the intention of earning the goodwill of small time traders and farmers of Kaniha region who hail from different panchayats. Poll analysts maintained that their goodwill can be converted into votes for his candidates who will be in the fray.