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Report by Akshya Rout; Keonjhar: Champua MLA Jitu Patnaik has urged the government to spend 10 per cent of the total collected mineral royalty from Keonjhar for the welfare of the district.
“The government is collecting crores of rupees as mineral royalty from Joda-Badbil mineral belt from this mineral rich district annually. But it never thinks of the development of this district, said the independent lawmaker, Patnaik.
Starting his political career as the Joda municipality chairman in 1978, Patnaik first represented to the Congress. As no political parties wished to give a ticket to him for the 2009 assembly election, he contested the Champua assembly constituency as an independent candidate and won the battle with 159 margins, sources said. Notably, Joda municipality is considered to be a beggar free municipality.
Nearly 22 contestants were there in the 2009 assembly elections in this constituency. But Patniak’s developmental work and foresight for the welfare of the district gave him the success, observed advocateAchuti Sahoo.
“Joda is now considered as a developed area n every respect. The development of this reason has gone to a new height with the help of Patnaik. Where various welfare projects of the government meant for the development of poor tribals fails to reach, Patnaik played a vital role in providing all types of support to them,” said a local adding that it clearly shows the popularity of Patnaik.
When asked about the future planning for the development of the district, Patnaik, said that his main is to make Keonjhar a number one district in every respect. “Where ever I go I will think the development of Keonjhar,” said Patnaik.
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