Review Meeting by Minister of Sports and Home Affairs
A review meeting was held by the Minister of State for Sports and Home Affairs, Shri Tusharkanti Behera, who is also the MLA of Kakatpur. The meeting took place on Friday at the office of BDO Dr. Bebita Manjari Nayak in Astarang Block. The minister visited the block to assess various developmental initiatives undertaken by the state government.
The meeting was attended by several representatives and officials, including Milita Mancha convenor Dibakar Chatoi, Astarang Block Chairperson Arati Nayak, Vice-Chairperson Durjaya Mishra, Astarang Sarpanch Ramachandra Kandi, Nagar Nominee Pinki Behera, Alangpur Nominee Kaushalya Lenka, Sarpanch Representative Prashant Bhol, Naiguan Sarpanch Manjulata Khuntia, Naiguan Nominee Pradeepta Sahu, Jhadalanga Nominee Shiva Parida, Nuagada Sarpanch Jitendra Swain, Kendrapati Sarpanch Shri Kandi, Saripur Sarpanch Banita Kandi, Saripur Nominee Sukanti Das, Manduki Sarpanch Representative Indramani Jena, Manduki Nominee Gagan Kandi, former Sarpanch Adhikari Behera, and Congress district secretary Pratap Khuntia.
However, before the minister could begin the review, some panchayat representatives raised objections, stating that they had not been informed about the meeting in advance. They opposed the review proceedings, arguing that proper communication was not made. The police present at the site stopped the protestors, while the Milita Mancha pointed out that they currently hold the chairperson position in the block. According to their allegations, even the Block Chairperson Arati Nayak and other PRI members were not given any prior notice or written invitation about the meeting. They also raised concerns about Astarang being excluded from the “Mo Hospital” scheme, the shortage of Panchayat Executive Officers (only 6 available instead of the required 15 for 15 panchayats), and the delay in constructing a new bus stand in Astarang. Due to these grievances, they demanded the cancellation of the ongoing review and called for a proper session to be held at a later date.
In response, Minister Behera stated that prior information regarding the review meeting had indeed been given by the block administration. He clarified that Astarang has been included in the “Mo Hospital” scheme. He further informed that a new hospital is to be constructed in Jharia, Astarang, at an estimated cost of ₹8 crores, for which the tender process is already underway. Additionally, all high schools in Astarang will be included under five different schemes, and the process to build a new bus stand is currently in progress. The minister also announced the approval of ₹40 lakhs for the construction of a modern auditorium in Astarang.
During the incident, Astarang Police Station Officer Panchanan Parida, Kakatpur Police Station Officer Priyaranjan Nayak, and other officials from both police stations were present and controlled the situation, ensuring tight security for the minister.
