Proposal for transforming Baliguda into NAC

BERHAMPUR: Baliguda, a major subdivisional headquarter in Kandhamal district is all set to become an urban centre. Administrative officials and dignitaries of Baliguda on Sunday decided to send a proposal to the State government for its transformation to a Notified Area Council (NAC). Ironically till date it has remained a panchayat although since decades it has bore the identity of an urban centre. It may be noted that Baliguda is the largest sub-division in the State. Several small towns of the State including G.Udaygiri of Kandhamal district have been declared NAC, while Baliguda remains a panchayat. On Sunday a meeting was held in mini stadium at Baliguda to discuss about this proposal. It was chaired by the local sub-collector, Balwant Singh, sarpanch Biren Kumar Pradhan and Zilla Parishad (ZP) member Adikanda Moharana. The sub-collector elaborated how being a panchayat Baliguda is not getting proper amount of funds for development. Most people who attended this proposal supported the proposal for transforming Baliguda into an NAC. Mr. Moharana said till date there remains fear in the minds of the poor of Baliguda regarding hike in taxes if they become part of an NAC rather than being in a panchayat. According to him there are several areas of Baliguda panchayat like Dandapadar, Goibali, Nuasahi, Badagaon, Kampada which are inhabited by poor peasants. In 1974 the proposal to transform Baliguda into an NAC had faced same obstacle, while G.Udaygiri got transformed to an NAC that year. As per the ZP member the State government should see to it that the poor living in Baliguda do not get burdened by increase in taxes and lose the employment opportunity that they were getting due rural-oriented schemes like MGNREGA and other developmental schemes which are not available for urban centres. As per the 2001 census Baliguda had a population of more than 20,000 and it now has more than 13,000 voters.

Source: The Hindu