Jajpur: Binjharpur Assembly segment in Jajpur district has remained a ‘reserved’ constituency for the last 56 years since 1967. Demands have been made repeatedly by residents of this constituency to make it an unreserved one and to demarcate its border.
However, it seems that the pleas have fallen on deaf ears as there is no effort to fulfill the demands. The Centre conducted a review meeting to change Binjharpur’s status in 2004. Later, a border revision committee was formed which became operational July 4, 2004 Former Joint Secretary Bhawani Prasad Ray of the Home (Election) department in a letter [No (B)-3/2016-3893/June 9, 2016] had directed the then district collector to provide actual details and opinions on the issue.
The then Under-Secretary TC Kom of the Election Commission of India (ECI) had also intervened in the matter. However, nothing much has happened as the central committee formed to demarcate the borders of Binjharpur is yet to conduct a single meeting.
The committee was formed under the chairmanship of former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Kuldip Singh, the then Chief Election Commissioner BB Tandon and the state election body chief. The Lok Sabha speaker also selected five MPs and five Assembly members from each state to assist the committee in its work in demarcating borders of various constituencies in the country.
The committee framed a set of rules and regulations for restructuring the borders of the Lok Sabha and Assembly segments in various states and Union Territories. However, surprisingly the committee did not change the borders of Binjharpur Assembly segment for reasons best known to it.
A geographical examination of the constituency reveals that 12 panchayats in Dasarathpur block has been merged with the Binjharpur Assembly segment. However, in the process, some of the other panchayats that should have been included in the constituency have been left out.
The committee had also emphasised that the population of the constituency should be taken into account while demarcating the borders of Binjharpur Assembly segment. Sources alleged Monday that rules have been flouted during formation of Binjharpur Assembly segment.
The residents have drawn the attention of the State Election Commission and the district administration but nothing has materialised so far, they added. As per the 2001 census, the population of Jajpur district stands at 16,24,341.
The district has seven Assembly segments out of which the Binjharpur Assembly segment has the highest number of voters at 2,36,787. Bhandaripokhari, Chandbali, Jajpur, Binjharpur, Pattamundai, Salipur, Balipatna, Nimapada, Jagannathprasad, Malkangiri, Dharmagarh, Bhawanipatna, Phulbani, Titlagarh, Sonepur, Hindol, Talcher, Bhatli, Redhakhole, Anandapur and Jagatsinghpur Assembly segments in the state were reserved for scheduled caste candidates before 2009.
After 2009, Binjharpur continues to be a reserve constituency along with newly–added Atabira, Raghunathpalli, Rengali, Badasahi, Remuna, Soro, Hindol, Chhendipada, Birmaharajpur, Loisingha, Bhawanipatna, Niali, Cuttack Sadar, Kendrapara, Tir tol, Kakatpur, Jaydev, Daspalla, Khallikote, Chhatrapur, Dhamna g ar, Koraput and Anandapur. These constituencies have been reserved for scheduled caste candidates.
PNN
