BALASORE: Rigidity simmers in Sankhamedi village in Balasore as a longstanding territorial dispute between Odisha and West Bengal governments continues to deprive residents of welfare schemes and entry to important providers.
Positioned on the border of the 2 states, the destiny of the village hangs within the steadiness as politicians promise resolutions however fail to behave. Six a long time in the past, a settlement by the West Bengal authorities unilaterally shifted Sankhamedi village’s jurisdiction below its management, stripping residents of their rights in Odisha.
Regardless of assurances from Odisha officers, together with ministers and politicians, to deal with the dispute, nothing has materialised until now leaving villagers in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
The historic document, courting again to a serious settlement in 1922, signifies that Sankhamedi village fell below Odisha’s jurisdiction. Nevertheless, West Bengal’s Income division in 1958 allegedly transferred management to their jurisdiction, sparking grievances amongst residents who proceed to pay taxes to West Bengal authorities.
Quite a few makes an attempt to resolve the problem, together with complaints lodged with native authorities, have yielded little progress. Villagers, with about 300 voters, discover themselves caught between two states, with lack of entry to authorities advantages and providers.
Ward member Ajay Jena and native resident Narayan Jena mentioned although they’ve the proper to vote in each the states, they’re disadvantaged of advantages, corresponding to housing, schooling, and infrastructure which is offered by Odisha, whereas West Bengal provides little help. The village’s schooling system suffers, with growing dropout charges and a scarcity of upper schooling services, they added.
