Padampur: Incensed residents led by Rajabodasambar Krushak Sangathan (a local outfit) today erased a part of the signboard mentioning the Sub-Collector’s Office in Padampur, demanding district status.
The part written as ‘Upa’ in Odia meaning ‘Sub’ was painted out by the agitators and the remaining part was left as such, as the Odisha Government deviated from its previous commitment given during the last by-poll and did not grant ‘district’ status to Padampur sub-division in Bargarh, the locals alleged.
“Chief Minister himself had given words that Padampur subdivision will be accorded ‘district’ status by December 31, 2023. This is our long-standing demand which has not been met,” many locals said.
The residents staged an agitation in front of the Sub-Collector’s Office to press their demand.
“If the Chief Minister had no intention to accord Padampur subdivision a ‘district’ status, he should not have made the announcement. As he had announced before the by-poll, we voted in favour of the ruling party fielded MLA candidate and brought him to power,” some members of the outfit rued.
