New Odisha Forum Seeks Autonomous Council For KKBK Region

Nabarangpur: A new forum has been set up in Odisha to demand the formation of an autonomous regional council for KKBK region — undivided Koraput, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Kandhmal districts.

The forum will fight for the fulfillment of aspirations of the people of 10 districts and formation of an autonomous council allowed under the constitutional framework, the convener of the forum, N Ahamed, said.

Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Suabarnpur, Boudh and Kandhamal are the 10 districts under KKBK region, Ahamed said.

“A decision has been taken that the forum will be a non-political organisation and people from all walks of life from the KKBK region will be a part of it,” news agency PTI quoted Ahamed as saying.

“In addition, a decision was also taken to collect all data concerning the region and its people, contribution of revenue of the region to the government, funds allotted to the region, poverty, backwardness and economy of the region, deprivation of basic needs, state of health, education, employment problems and regional imbalance,” he added.

The forum alleged that successive state governments have failed in providing basic needs to the people of the region even after 72 years of independence and therefore there has been no development in the region.

Speaking at the meeting Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said that people of the region have not got the rights and benefits which have been assured in the constitution. As a result, a big gap has been created between the KKBK region and other areas in the state, he added.