Odisha Mission Shakti Cafe locked hours after inauguration by local MLA

A Mission Shakti cafe inaugurated by Jharsuguda MLA Deepali Das was locked just a few hours later by the local sarpanch. Laikera gram panchayat sarpanch Priyambada Behera claimed she was mistreated during the inauguration ceremony following which she locked it. 

Earlier on Sunday, Deepali Das inaugurated the Mission Shakti Cafe with much fanfare. Taking to her X handle, she wrote, “Today, another Mission Shakti Cafe at Laikera Panchayat in Jharsuguda was inaugurated. I sincerely thank the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Sj. Naveen Patnaik sir, who has shown consistent commitment to women's empowerment as a vital element of the state's development policy.”

Today, another Mission Shakti Cafe at Laikera Panchayat in Jharsuguda was inaugurated. I sincerely thank the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Sj. Naveen Patnaik sir, who has shown consistent commitment to women's empowerment as a vital element of the state's development policy. pic.twitter.com/h75gcLPOQs

— Deepali Das (@deepalidas95) August 13, 2023

However, the locking of the café just hours after its inauguration has spread outrage among the locals. Sarpanch Priyambada claimed that she had provided two rooms to run the café. However, she was not even acknowledged or given a seat during the inauguration programme.

When contacted, Priyambada demanded that she be given her due appreciation.

“After being requested by BDO, I had handed over two of my rooms to Mission Shakti for the café. However, during the inauguration programme, they did not even acknowledge my help. I was not even given a seat to sit during the inauguration programme. So, I have withdrawn my decision to hand over my rooms to the cafe and have locked it. It will be locked until the matter is solved amicably,” said the Sarpanch.

No comments could be obtained from MLA Deepali Das in this regard.