Do you think that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is neglecting the cause of western Orissa?

The Congress government had neglected western Orissa and the BJD government has also adopted the same step-motherly attitude towards the region. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has recommended that the Central University (CU) at Sambalpur and University College of Engineering, Burla, be accorded IIT status, but there has been no positive development.

CU has been shifted to Koraput. Major institutions like AIIMS, Niser, IIT are located in and around Bhubaneswar. The fruits of development should be divided equally.

A demand for a separate state “Koshal” in western Orissa is gaining momentum. Do you support it or feel it is just a demand of frenzied people?

Don’t call it the demand of frenzied people. People of western Orissa have a feeling of desperation and being let down. People are supreme and I support them. However, they are yet to take a decisive stand on this issue.

Western Orissa Development Commission (WODC) has been set up for the development of western Orissa and to bridge regional disparities. Despite these developments, why do the people feel let down?

WODC is a dignified municipality. But it has failed to meet the expectations of the people. The people had demanded for a powerful and autonomous body, which could immediately solve their problems, but so far, it has failed in that direction. It is useless.

As far as I am concerned, the issue regarding the establishment of a headquarter is not important. The major issue is that it should be given real power.

Sindol hydro-power project is an ambitious project of the state government that is proposed to come up at Boudh, Sonepur and Sambalpur.

Similarly, the mega lift irrigation project would be set up on both the sides of the project. Why are you opposing it?

If the dam comes up, a number of villages would be submerged. The then energy minister, Surjya Narayan Patro had also made an announcement that the project would not be taken up and the state government had issued a press note in this regard.

Even Naveen Patnaik had assured the same at a public meeting. But I don’t understand what prompted them to announce the start of the project suddenly last week.

After people raised their voice, the government came out with a statement that it would reduce the height of the dam by two metres, but we don’t even know what is the ideal height.

Orissa will benefit in terms of getting 320MW of power. If you continue to oppose, the state will stand to lose the energy largely.

The estimate regarding power generation is based on complete falsehood. Take a look at the Hirkaud’s installed capacity and generation capacity. All the hydro-power centres are producing less than one-third of their installed capacity. The Sindol project would neither be able to produce more than 150MW of power nor will it be cheaper. There is disagreement within BJD and also in Congress over this issue. The project is an attack on the people and we will resist it.

Hirakud dam is a multi-purpose dam. Why do you all oppose diversion of water from Mahanadi river for industrial purposes?

The water storage capacity of the Hirakud dam has gone down drastically because of siltation. Water does not reach the tail end of the canal. Repair work of the Sasana canal has not been taken up properly and has brought misery to people. The state has failed to execute its scheme of irrigating 35 per cent land in each block. Irrigation of farmers’ lands should be given top priority.

If you oppose using water from the dam for industrial purposes, how can the industries flourish?

Industries are not coming to the state to do charity. They should spend money to arrange water for themselves. They can create ponds or go for dug-up wells. The government should act only as a facilitator. Farmers should not suffer at the cost of industries.

You led the Gandhamardhan movement in the 80s. Corporate houses are still eyeing the bauxite-rich hill. Are you ready for another battle?

The agitation that began in the 80s is still on. People were successful in ousting Balco from Gandhamardan hill areas and if any corporate house tries to take over it, they would throw them out too. More than 800 streams, 21 waterfalls originate from the hillside. There are 222 rare medicinal plants and 2,500 varieties of flower-bearing plants. We will never allow it to be destroyed.

You have worked with Biju Patnaik and are now witnessing Naveen’s administration. Who is better?

Biju babu was a great visionary and was responsive to the needs of the masses. He never depended on anyone, not even bureaucrats to deal with people. But things are different with Naveen babu. Naveen has no grip over the administration. He adopts a short-term approach to solve problems without actually delving into the roots.

Till a few years ago, your political career revolved around the political future of George Fernandes. Now that he is no longer active in politics, where do you see yourself heading politically?

I used to visit Fernandes every two months. See, I am a political man, but not in any political party right now. I am with the people. Now, I am a social activist and also a trade union leader. There are miles to go before I sleep.

A man of many parts

From the “Save Gandhamardhan” movement of the 80s to the present agitation against setting up of Sindol hydro-power project, Bhabani Shankar Hota has always led from the front.

The 61-year-old people’s leader is a multifaceted personality. He holds a master’s degree in political science and was a gazetted officer in Samabalpur University. He founded the Sambalpur University Employees’ Union, All Orissa University Employees’ Federation and was a founder member of the All India University Employees’ Confederation (now its president).

Hota writes short stories and contributes to a literary journal “Saptarshi” published by the university. He was also the editor of Oriya magazine “Sphulinga” in the 60s.

He led the Chiroli Sanghursh Samiti at Bijepur demanding irrigation to rain-fed areas of Padamapur sub-division. He initiated and successfully fought for many development projects. As a railway board member between 1998 and 2003, he played a key role in introduction of new trains such as Tapaswini Express, Sambalpur Inter-city Express and doubling of Titilagarh-Jharsuguda railway line.

He was the first All-India General Secretary of the Samata Party from 1995 to 1998 and State President of the Orissa State Party from 1996 to 2003. He left the party in 2003 and remained a non-party political and social activist. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999 and took forceful initiative in the creation of Mahanadi Coal Limited at Burla, Sambalpur.

Hota has played a key role in promotion of games such as hockey, cricket, football, swimming and athletics. He founded the Meher association, the premier sports and cultural association of western Orissa in 1969.

What would you have been had you not been a politician?

If I had not entered politics, I would have been a social activist like I am now. I was born in Tihura village of undivided Sambalpur district, which was submerged in 1955 due to the Hirakud dam. As a child, I have seen my family and people of western Orissa go through a lot of struggle. So, I always had a wish to serve the people and alleviate their problems. I have always taken up people’s issues and would stand by the voiceless and underprivileged sections. I want to see my region on the path of growth and development.