Baripada: Baripada Municipality is 113-year-old and has its place of pride in the history of Odisha Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das had been its deputy chairperson for several years. Over the years, the civic body has achieved much progress, but there are still facilities to be put in place.
On Self-Governance Day, the local people want to know how many of their dreams have been fulfilled and what remains to be met.
For the past several months, the civic body doesn’t have its regular executive officer. Baripada BDO has been doing additional job of executive officer.
To mark the occasion, eight toilet projects were inaugurated while foundation stone for a project – renovation and beautification of Mata pond – was laid.
Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo had set up Baripada Municipality July 1, 1905. Then, a committee was formed and eight people were nominated as members. Mayurbhanj Municipality Regulation Act was introduced in 1922 instead of Bihar-Odisha Municipality Act.
Baripada Municipality comes under Odisha Municipality Act 1950. Its first office functions on the upper floor of the place above the Singhadwar. Its first nominated chairperson was Harishchandra Bhanjadeo while the first elected chairperson was Trilochan Das.
In 1950, the civic body had 10 wards. Over the years, their number has swollen to 28. Locals said they had a lot of hope for fast development after the civic body was incorporated in the centre-sponsored AMRUT.
But, the municipal authorities had to draw flak for alleged favouritism towards contractors and anomalies in tenders of some contracts.
PNN