Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim on Thursday got into Petanala drain protesting the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the State government in reviving the drain despite repeated requests.
According to sources, Moquim had repeatedly raised the demand to restore Petanala drain but the government didn’t pay heed to his demand. The MLA had also raised this issue in Assembly session.
In order to make the government realize the problem residents of CDA and Bidanasi are facing for the last several years, the MLA got into the drain water as part of his protest against the government’s ‘careless’ attitude.
Moquim said, “I have completed three years as an MLA. During my three years’ tenure, I held discussion with drainage division, concerned ministers and raised this issue even in the State Assembly. But, I just cannot find out the reasons why the Odisha government is showing indifference attitude towards the problems of Markatnagar residents.”
He continued: “Chief Secretary had earlier held a meeting with us and funds got sanctioned for the project. The CS had promised to start the project in the month of April, 2022. More than two months have elapsed to the promise, but the project is yet to see the light of the day. If the government would not begin Petanala work soon, we will stage dharna in front of the main gate of the drainage division.
Giving an ultimatum to the ruling-BJD government, the Congress MLA further said, “We have given an ultimatum of three months. If the State government fails to revive the drain in within this period, being the representative of Cuttack residents, I will go on an indefinite hunger strike near the drain.”