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Umerkote in Odisha's Nabarangpur district is facing serious administrative challenges due to the absence of officers in key government departments. Four major departments in the Umerkote block are currently without officers, impacting the implementation of development projects.
Reportedly, frequent transfers and vacant positions have hindered the smooth functioning of these departments, raising concerns over project execution and service delivery.
Current Issues At Umerkote:
Umerkote, the second-largest city in Nabarangpur district, is facing administrative hurdles due to the prolonged vacancy in the Block Development Officer (BDO) position. The post has remained vacant for nearly three months, with an additional officer from Raighar block temporarily overseeing operations.
However, with both Umerkote and Raighar blocks comprising 26 panchayats each, managing responsibilities across both areas has posed significant challenges. The absence of a dedicated BDO has affected the implementation of development projects and the resolution of administrative matters, impacting service delivery at the block office, alleged locals.
What Locals Have To Say?
Sharing his frustration, an Awas Yojana beneficiary said, “I have been visiting here every day for past the eight days but it has not been fruitful. I am always told that the BDO is unavailable; I’m facing a lot of issues. My Awas Yojana money is stuck as I'm unable to get his (BDO) signatures.”
BJD Umerkote Block president Ajit Pradhan said, “Due to unavailability of a permanent BDO, people are facing too many problems. Raighar BDO has been given the charge of overseeing the official work; however, nobody has an idea about when he comes to the office and goes. Multiple issues like pensions of senior citizens or troubles of SHG workers go unsolved because of this.”
Other Government Offices Facing Same Problems:
Similarly, the situation at the Umerkote Municipal Office is no better. In the past four years, five to seven officers have been moved, with some holding the position for only a week in the last six months. This constant reshuffling has affected decision-making, delayed the resolution of local issues, and impacted accountability. Development tenders are reportedly pending even after months while contractors who completed previous projects are yet to receive payments, further slowing down the entire administrative progress.
Expressing dissatisfaction and hopelessness, local contractor Shankar Nayak said, “No staff is ever available and the constant transfer of executive officers has caused a series of problems for us. Due to the multiple transfers of Executive Officers in such short time, our payment has got stuck. We have finished project works; but, we are yet to receive any payment against it.”
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“Each time an executive officer signs the papers to clear the pending bill, they get transferred which again results in repeating the same cycle. We have been constantly hovering around the municipal office without any solution,” he added.
Law And Order In Umerkote:
The absence of key police officials in Umerkote has raised concerns over law and order in the region making the situation direr. The Police Sub-Divisional Officer (SDPO) post has remained vacant for two months while the police station has been without an IIC for the past month.
Given Umerkote’s proximity to the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, where Naxal activities are a concern, the lack of senior officers could impact security measures. In response, the Bar Association has called for the immediate appointment of essential officials, including the BDO, Municipal Executive Officer, and key personnel in the police department, to ensure effective governance and law enforcement.
Prashant Sahoo, a lawyer shared, “Lately, there has been no BDO appointed in the region. Even though crimes have increased in the area, there is no appointment of permanent IIC or SDPO to curb the crime rates. These positions should be filled as soon as possible for the betterment of the Umerkote people.”
What BDO In Charge Of Umerkote Says:
Lakshmi Sagar Majhi, Umerkote BDO in-charge said, “I have been handed over the charge by the collector after the BDO here got transferred; and, I am already in-charge of Raighar. There might be some grievances which are not reaching to me, resulting in some problems but the overall functioning is smooth.”
