Jajpur: The block development office (BDO) at Bari here has remained headless for a long time.

The posts of not only the BDO, but also the assistant block development officer, child development project officer, theagriculture officer, social welfare extension officer, cooperative extension officer and fishery extension officer have been lying vacant here for several months.

As a result, development activities in the block have taken a beating.

The BDO's post has been lying vacant in Bari block for the last two years. Additional BDO Maheswar Sethy, who was officiating as in-charge BDO here, has also been transferred to another district in April this year without any substitute being given to Bari.

As a result, that post has also remained vacant for the past four months. Residents of at least 29 gram panchayats of Bari block have been the worst sufferers.

Despite several requests, the district administration is yet to take any steps to fill the vacancies.

Local residents alleged that hundreds of villagers visit the block office for their welfare work, including pucca house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojan and Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme, ration card under the National Food Security Act, old age pension, child welfare and other social welfare related works, but returned with empty hands as there is no one to work due to the vacancies.

Though Rasulpur BDO has been asked to come to Bari block two days a week, it has failed to serve the purpose of the people.

"I was chosen to get a pucca house as a beneficiary under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. I have been running to the block office to get the work order for the last two months, but every time I had to return empty handed as the BDO was not there," said Prafulla Chandra Das.

Distribution of old age and widow pensions, construction of houses under Mo Kudia, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Indira Awas Yojana, road connectivity works and other development activities have also been badly affected.

When contacted, Jajpur collector Ranjan Kumar Das said: "Steps are being taken to fill up the vacant posts."