Western Odisha Development Council

Samaja, May 11, 2010

(Thanks to Dr Sanib Kumar Karmee for highlighting the news article in KDDF)

Yes, there arises a lot of questions based on proper functioning of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC). If one will go into details of the activities and achievements by WODC so far based on fundings provided by the Odisha State Government, one can realize there is no proper VISION DOCUMENTS to work with, although the following objectives are mentioned in the WODC web page: http://www.wodcorissa.org/about.htm

Objectives of WODC

"The objectives of the Council have been embodied in the Council Act to(1) upgrade the levels of development with a view to removing regional imbalances, (2) upgrade the relative levels of development in different sectors in each Districts having regard to the levels of development for the State as a whole, (3) prepare long-term and short-term plans and programmes for removal of developmental imbalances and formulate plans and programme accordingly.

In pursuance to these objectives, the Council has identified the sectors-wise deficiencies in development. The main deficiency is on irrigation followed by Roads and Communications, Health, Education and Rural Electrification. In addition to this, regular intervention is necessary for mitigating the natural calamities.As per the objectives and identified deficiencies, the Council prepares its Own Action Plan."

I really appreciate the retrospective analysis by Mr. Amiya Bhusan Tripathy (the article published in Samaja, May 11, 2010) and hope the Government will also take proper care and steps toward better functioning of WODC and to fulfil the dream of Western Odisha (At least better statistics than the present report: Looking at the degree of development/ backwardness of 10 Western Orissa districts, it can be said that out of 87 blocks only 5 blocks are developed, 25 are developing, another 25 are backward and 32 blocks are very backward, whereas in coastal districts 70 blocks are developed, 50 blocks are very backward out of total 227 blocks) .

Only 5.7% developed blocks 36.78% very backward blocks are there in WODC districts. This is against 30.84% of the developed blocks only 22.03% are in very backward blocks in non –WODC districts.

(Source – Ghadei Committee Report to OLA)

Now, Lets see what other achievements we have in our Bargarh District by WODC:

Source: http://www.wodcorissa.org/bargarh.htm

And we can ask ourselves whether these much are enough?????