Bhadrak: A controversy broke out over the proposed installation of a bronze statue of former Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahatab at his native place Agarpada in Bhadrak district.
Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Smaraki Parishad spent Rs 8 lakh to have a 9.6 ft high statue of Mahtab made at Bhubaneswar. However, even as all preparations were underway to install the statue, the district administration ordered to halt the work.
This directive has caused deep resentment among locals and Mahatab’s followers.
Two local outfits like Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Smaraki Parishad and Agapara Krianusthan Committee had earlier sought permission from the district administration for installation of the statue.
The Collector in a letter (1760) dated July 17, 2017, had granted permission after which work on the statue was started.
Later, officials of the works department had visited the site of the statute and even zeroed in on the location.
The statue was to be unveiled November 21. In view of this, the foundation laying ceremony was held November 4. The pit-digging for the pedestal was undertaken.
That day Bant tehsildar Bijkay Kumar Sethi and Agarpada IIC Mans Kumar Deo along with police officials rushed to the spot and directed the workers to halt the work. Tension prevailed in the area following this order.
Members of the Parishad sought to know the reason for halting of the work. The officials wanted permission letter for installation of the statue. The members furnished the permission letter, but the officials termed the letter invalid, citing that the letter was a year old document. Then, they ordered to stop the digging work at the site.
The next day, members of the Parishad and Committee met Collector Gyanaranjan Das who outright denied the permission.
The Parishad members say preparations are at last leg for unveiling of the statue November 21.
Members of the Parishad and the committee suspect that the halting of the work might have been due to political pressure.
Functionaries of the two outfits, locals, and some lawyers have meanwhile hinted about a possible agitation against it.
The Collector made it clear that the culture department will set up the statue of Dr Mahatab. “The effort to set up the statue by non-government agencies will not be allowed,” he added.
PNN