Govt Announcement Of New NACs A Poll Gimmick, Says Odisha BJP Leader

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government announcement of formation of 34 new NACs in 20 districts is only an election gimmick on the part of ruling BJD, said senior BJP leader Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo.

Singhdeo said the formation of new NAC necessitates approval of the state Cabinet first and then by the Legislative Assembly. After getting the Governor’s approval, the government can announce new civic body. But chief minister Naveen Patnaik suddenly announced formation of 34 new NACs without even Cabinet approval, he added.

“As per the provisions of Odisha Municipal Act, 1950 and Odisha Municipal Corportation Act, 2023, before announcing formation of a new NAC, a public hearing must be held in the area. But the government has neither held public hearing in any of the proposed NACs nor informed the people’s representatives of the areas,” the former Union minister said.

Stating that the chief minister’s announcement was nothing but a gimmick to woo the voters ahead of dual elections in the state, Singhdeo apprehended that the present dispensation would go back on its promise as in the case of district status to Padampur announced by the chief minister before mid-term elections.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister announced the formation of 34 new notified area councils (NACs) across 20 districts and upgradation of five existing NACs into municipalities in four districts.

Also Read: Odisha Govt To Create 34 New NACs, Upgrade 5 Existing NACs To Municipalities