Citizens’ forum to hold People’s Parliament across Odisha on power, local issues

Picture used for representational purpose only

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Janshakti Manch (OJM), a citizens’ forum, will hold a People’s Parliament in each district to discuss different local issues that affect the people of the state. The major issue will be the condition of electricity supply in rural areas.
The Manch took this decision in a meeting held here on Saturday. “A state-wide jatha or march will cover cities and towns to discuss several local issues. The key issue will be the power cut, power tariff and problems faced by the farmers, households and small industries in power supply,” said convenor of the forum Ashok Nanda.
He said rural areas face power cut issues every day. It will be discussed in the forum in detail during the jatha. Besides, they will request citizens to narrate their problems and aspirations during the discussions, he added.
Nanda said they are taking up a campaign on key issues like electricity, health care, education, housing and old age pensions affecting the common man. “The opposition parties in Odisha have failed to raise the issues that affect the common people. Major political parties have aligned or are beneficiaries of the ruling party,” he added.
As the opposition parties do not take up issues of common people, OJM leader Bihari Bandhu Pallei said, the forum will raise their issues. The Manch will organize a citizen’s campaign on land and housing rights in the coming month and a citizens’ notice will be soon given to the government, he added.
Tusar Ray, another Manch leader, will be leading a campaign on health rights. Khirod Rout of the Manch said marginalized communities including tribals, dalits and women will be given leadership positions in all its movements.
Mahendra Parida, OJM member, said they will highlight labour and unemployment issues in the coming days.

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