Action plans for various projects worth Rs 50 lakh under the Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha programme were allegedly approved without the consent of the sarpanch in Bissamkatak of Rayagada district. Sarpanch Namita Kulishika also brought another serious allegation that her signature was forged to sanction the projects.
Upset over alleged illegalities in this programme, the sarpanch and her supporters took out a rally and staged peaceful protests in Bissamkatak on Thursday. They alleged that by ignoring people’s representatives in Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha, the state government is trying to repress the elected representatives and curtail their powers.
Holding placards, the agitators shouted slogans against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and 5T chairman VK Pandian, accusing the latter of hijacking the powers of the people’s representatives. They demanded full autonomy (Purna Swaraj) for the Panchayati raj representatives.
Sarpanch Kulishika met Collector Swadha Dev Singh over the issue.
Speaking to the media, Kulishika said, “I had apprised the BDO regarding the forged signature and the approval of action plans of projects without my consent. Later, the Collector called me for a discussion over the issue and assured me that such wrongdoings would be probed and action would be taken. She said such things will not be allowed to happen henceforward.”
ALSO READ: Viral video: Congress MLA's supporters create ruckus at Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha programme
Asked about who might have forged her signature, Namita Kulishika said that she had earlier suspected the role of the BDO, but later came to know that the BDO was out of station at that time.
She further stated that it is the lookout of the administration to find out who forged her signature.
No comments have been received from the administration.