Due to the government’s lack of cooperation, two Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) leaders in Odisha’s Kendrapara district have, in an unprecedented instance, beeng for alms for the construction of a village road.
The Rajakanika block’s Sarpanch, Shradhanjali Mallik, and Samiti Member, Prbeshana Mallik, have taken the approach of collecting alms to raise money for the development of a village road and drainage system, as they had pledged before the election.
According to sources, the Sarpanch and Samiti members were elected with an overwhelming majority after winning the public’s support for the development of the Sarpapada road and drainage system. Due to the district administration’s lack of assistance, they were unable to keep their pledges.
As a result of community pressure, the elected officials accepted the verbal instruction of the block administration and started building the road with drainage work, which was crucial for the community before the rainy season. Nevertheless, despite the road’s construction and the drains’ partial completion, no funding were allotted for it.
In order to raise money to pay off the debt for the sand and other materials used in the building as well as to finish the necessary project for the villages, the two public officials then requested money from the residents while begging from door to door.
The Kendrapara district collector stated that because the public has been informed, there is no need to plead for help building a road. Soon after the proposal has been approved in the Grama Sabha, funds for the work will be sanctioned.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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