Naveen betrayed Kalahandias

Tathya, 6th August, 2008
Bhawanipatna:6/August/2008

The people of Kalahandi feel betrayed and are anguished over the sincerity of Naveen Patnaik. The decision of the Government of Orissa to ask the Centre to set up the Central University at Koraput has naturally irked the people of Kalahandi. So the leading Non Resident Oriya(NRO) Digambara Patra has sent a missive to Man Mohan Singh, the Prime Minister asking him to intervene. Dr.Patra alleged that Orissa Government has been serious in ill treating certain backward region like Kalahandi and bringing more regional rivalry among various region in KBK region. Mr Patnaik’s Government has repeatedly ignored requirement of KBK region by not providing any support in higher educational institutes. He has established similar institute in his home district like Berhampur (a new engineering college, and IIIT) where there are already State Government funded medical college, university, diploma college and many private engineering institutes. On the other hand Kalahandi which is in actual epicenter of KBK region (NIC data shows it) does not possess any Government or private engineering college or university. Dr.Patra has alleged that Chief Minister is playing with emotion of people of Kalahandi and western Orissa region. Initially he promised to establish the Central University in Kalahandi. Chief Minister Mr. Patnaik has assured a delegation from Kalahandi district that he will pressurize the Centre to set up a Central University in Kalahandi district. A 25-member delegation led by Minister of State for Law and Employment Pradipta Kumar Nayak met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on 7 May. The delegation impressed upon the Chief Minister about the need for establishment of a central university in Kalahandi district as it is educationally backward. The district has all infrastructure facilities for establishment of a Central University and the demand has been pending since 1988. The delegation comprising former ministers Balabhadra Majhi, Himansu Sekhar Meher and legislator Pushpendra Singhdeo impressed upon Mr.Patnaik for the University. After hearing from the delegation, Mr.Patnaik assured that he will write a letter to Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry about setting up the varsity in Kalahandi.However, now he has changed his mind and shifted the Central University to Koraput as reported in the media. Mr Patnaik was often criticized by his rival politicians as 'betrayer'. In this case, unfortunately, the CM has played the betrayal game in regional basis to rule Orissa state. Mr Patanik is playing divide and rule among various regions in KBK region to rule Orissa state, which would severely cost to the integrity of the state/nation, he alleged. As suggested earlier Orissa would get another central university such as “Indira Gandhi National Tribal University” for which Koraput would have been the ideal choice due to predominant tribal population there. The ground level problems in Koraput is not well being studied (since there are many industries in Koraput region compared to other parts of the state but still local tribal people are backward and suffering), so such educational institute based on life of tribal people is imminent in this region. By shifting the Central University from Kalahandi to Koraput, the Government is betraying Kalahandi and its people and whole of the western Orissa region. Dr.Patra has hoped that being the Prime minister of India Dr.Singh will correct the politically motivated steps taken by Mr.Patnaik. He urged upon the Prime Minister to establish the Central University in Kalahandi and branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Koraput.
Sanjib Kumar Karmee, another leading NRO have also requested the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and give justice to Kalahandi.
Dr.Karmee, who stays in Germany has sent the missive to Dr. Singh.
Now protest letters are pouring in, because for last many years enlightened Kalahandias were seriously lobbying for the educational and social development of the worst backward area of the country.
And with Naveen's decision they feel totally betrayed, alleged another leading voice Madhusmita Panda.