**Bhubaneswar: ** BJP MLA Pradip Purohit has written letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to declare Padampur Sub-Division as a new district by furcating Bargarh district.
“I would like to draw your kind attention that while creating new 30 Districts of Odisha State, the then Chief Minister of Odisha Late Biju Patnaik, created Bargarh District at that time by bifurcating Sambalpur District and had assured the people of Padampur Sub-division to declare Padampur a new District in the 2nd Phase,” the Padampur MLA has mentioned.
He has argued, “As per report of Das Commission, it fulfills all criteria to be a new District. Padampur Sub-Division is a tribal-dominated area and also a drought prone area. While creating Bargarh District Padampur Sub-Division was included in the district. But Bargarh Sub-Division is an irrigated area while Padampur is a drought prone area having less irrigation facility. There is a hell and heaven difference between both the Sub-Divisions, one is developed and the other is under-developed & tribal dominated area. The place and various benefits do not reach this Sub-Division.”
“Hence, if Padampur will be declared as a new District then the drought-prone & under developed people of Padampur Sub-Division will get more benefits,” he has stated.
In his media reactions, Padampur MLA Pradip Purohit said, “Odisha Government has started planning to create more districts. Today I have submitted a letter to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary a letter.
Through the letter I have mentioned that Padampur Sub-Division is a backward one. When Biju Babu had created 30 districts, he had assured to make it a district later on. Now the State Government is planning to exclude Padampur as a new district.”
“If my demand is not fulfilled, I will resort to fast unto death before the State Secretariat,” he threatened.
On the contrary, BJD vice-president and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “After receiving a memorandum, State Government is examining on it. It all depends on the parameters like geographical status, population, advantages and disadvantages, cultural affinity, etc. These are all taken into consideration by the Government before taking a decision.”
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