Row erupts as NAC chief lays foundation stones before MLA in Nayagarh

A major controversy broke out over the foundation laying of two Kalyan mandaps in Dasapala NAC of Nayagarh district.

Before the local legislator laying the foundation on Sunday, the chairperson of the NAC Poonam Priyadarshini allegedly did the job in a hurry which was strongly opposed by workers of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

As per reports, the district administration identified two sites for Kalyan mandaps in the NAC area for which Rs 4.29 crore has been allocated. 

Dasapalla MLA Ramesh Chandra Behera was supposed to lay the foundation stones for the two projects on Friday, but the chairperson of the NAC along with some councilors laid their foundation stones, it was alleged.

However, the NAC chairperson Poonam Priyadarshini was unmoved over the allegations, saying the projects belong to the NAC and as the chairperson, she has every right to lay the foundation stones.    

Priyadarshini said, “Foundation stones for two projects were laid for Kalyan mandaps in wards 1 and 12. The projects are being executed through the rural development department. As there has been an instruction from the top to complete the projects quickly, we laid the foundation stones for quick work. We have no difference f opinion with the MLA. As the projects are ours, we started the work.”

Sanooja Kumar Sahu, the councilor of Ward 6, said, "The legislator was supposed to lay the foundation stone for these projects, but surprisingly we came to know that the NAC chairperson laid the foundation stone well in advance. We all BJD councilors will take the matter to the police station.”