PRI members stage dharna against BDO

JAGATSINGHPUR: Sarpanchs and panchayat samiti members of Naugaon block on Monday detained BDO Tapan Kumar Mohapatra and staged a dharna at his office for keeping them out of vital meetings.

On November 6, Mohapatra, after discussions with panchayat samiti chairperson Trushana Lenka had proposed holding a meeting on November 22. A letter was issued to the administration confirming the date. However, no invitations were sent to the panchayat samiti members and sarpanchs, creating resentment among them. The sarpanchs and panchayat samiti members alleged the BDO cancelled the meeting under pressure from ruling party leaders. They said cancellation of the meeting further delayed critical development projects in rural areas of the block.