ONI Bureau: A delegation led by former Odisha Minister and veteran BJP leader Biswabhushan Harichandan, met Odisha Government Prof. Ganeshi Lal at Raj Bhavan yesterday, seeking his intervention for the allotment of land for the Paika Memorial at Barunei as per the central government’s proposal.
The delegation accused the State government of delaying the allotment of land although the Paika Memorial project was approved by the Centre long ago in Barunei in Khordha district.
“The Paika Rebellion of 1817 was the first armed struggle against the British empire in India. The Centre has already approved funds for a Paika Memorial in Barunei in Khordha. Once constructed, it would help popularize the bravery of Odias across the world. However, despite repeated requests, the state government has not provided the required land for it. Even, Union Culture Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma had written a letter to CM Naveen Patnaik in March 2018. A similar request was made by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in September 2018. However, no action has been taken to acquire the land for the memorial”, said the delegation.
“The CM did not even give appointment to a Paika delegation that wanted to meet him to press the demand in this regard. Thus, we request the Hon’ble Governor to intervene and direct the State Government to provide land for the much-awaited Paika Memorial,” the delegation said.
Among others, senior journalist Pradyumna Satpathy, former MLA Suresh Routray, Dr. Dilip Srichandan, Upasna Mohapatra, Mohan Sundar Dalasinghray, Prafulla Bahubalendra, Badri Narayan Patnaik and Surath Biswal were part of the delegation that met the Governor.
“Hon’ble Governor’s kind and urgent intervention was requested in order to proceed with the construction of infrastructure in the name of our martyrs and honour our history and heritage,” posted Upasna on her Facebook wall.