Bhubaneswar, Odisha : The Odisha BDO power hike, which raises the bill approval limit from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh without Panchayat Samiti countersignature, has drawn sharp criticism from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The party warned of a statewide agitation if the Government does not immediately revoke this decision.
At a press conference at Shankha Bhawan, MLA Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo and Party Vice President & State Senior Media Coordinator Shri Pratap Jena condemned the Cabinet decision as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Dr. Sahoo said that during the Naveen Patnaik Government’s tenure, Panchayat Samitis had significant powers to strengthen grassroots democracy. In contrast, the current BJP Government attempts to undermine these institutions and reduce the authority of elected representatives. He called the move a direct assault on the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
Earlier, Panchayat Samiti Chairpersons countersigned bills exceeding Rs. 2 lakh. Under the new rule, BDOs can approve bills up to Rs. 10 lakh on their own, effectively sidelining Chairpersons. By stripping elected representatives of their powers, the Government strikes a severe blow to democracy, Dr. Sahoo emphasized, adding that this violates the Constitution, which requires Panchayat Samitis to function under elected leaders.
He further noted that the BJP Government targets Panchayat Samitis because most Chairpersons belong to the BJD. By curtailing their powers, the Government empowers bureaucracy over elected representatives, he said, highlighting the irony that BJP now promotes “Babu Raj,” which it once opposed.
Dr. Sahoo recalled previous anti-democratic actions under the Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha Yojana, where District Collectors could reject Panchayat decisions and MLAs could recommend up to 40% of projects. He said this demonstrates BJP’s centralization of power, weakening grassroots institutions and depriving elected representatives of authority.
Shri Pratap Jena added that decentralization forms the core of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. By controlling BDOs, BJP leaders intend to use them for PC (percentage commission) collection in Panchayat works, which he called regressive and dangerous.
Concluding the press conference, the BJD demanded the Government withdraw the decision immediately and unconditionally. The party warned that if the Government fails to revoke it, Block Chairpersons, Panchayat Samiti Members, and Sarpanches will mobilize across the State for mass protests.
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