Koraput: Tension ran high at the Jeypore municipal council meeting on Tuesday as a section of councillors and local MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati staged a walkout, alleging that they were not being consulted while preparing projects for their wards.

"Earlier, proposals had been sought from us while preparing project lists for the wards. But now, projects are being abruptly prepared by the officials concerned without consulting us. While we are facing people's ire in the wards as works are not being done according to their requirements and demands," said Anup Patro, a councillor.

"Hence, we demand consultation with the councillors before preparing the ward projects," he said.

The councillors said that earlier all contractors used to take part in the municipality's tender process. Now, only contractors registered with the municipality are eligible to take part in it.

"As all contractors used to take part in the tender process, the quality of the work was maintained. Now, the officials changed the rule without consulting it in the council meeting - reportedly to favour few of their contractors," said Bahinipati.

"We demand to withdraw the changes and make sure that all contractors, irrespective of whether registered with the municipality, take part in the process. Or else, we may challenge it in the court," he said.

The civic body's executive officer Bikash Chandra Baina said: "All have been done according to the law, and there is no wrongdoing. However, one may move the court."

With a population of over one lakh, the municipality has 28 wards and the BJD has formed the council.