• You have been the chairman of the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) for the last nine months. What's your agenda for the development of the 11 districts under the body? 

We have a long list of programmes. The main thrust is on education and cultural development. We want to take up some model projects such as schools and anganwadi centres. We are planning to create a cultural hub in all the 11 districts to promote various events in our area.
  
• It has been 14 years since the council was formed, but its headquarters is yet to be shifted from Bhubaneswar to Western Odisha. Which is the most ideal place to host it?

The state government has no problem in shifting the headquarters to the WODC. However, the peoples' representatives from the western Odisha should agree to a particular location. 
We have already met several times and discussed this issue. There are differences of opinion and no consensus has been reached. Taking the infrastructure and road development in the western Odisha into account, any place in the western belt is ideal.
 
• But being a three-time MLA from western Odisha and presently heading the WODC, what should be the ideal location according to you?

(Pauses) It's a tough question for me to answer. Being the chairman of the WODC, it is improper for me to name any particular place for the proposed headquarters. 
 
• Let us move to the next question.Is it not true that the backward districts have not attained the desirable level of development for which people continue to suffer?

There is no denying the fact that there are certain pockets where people still live below the poverty line. However, no starvation deaths have been reported from the western region. The Re 1 per kg rice scheme has helped a lot in this direction. There are several factors responsible for the poor growth of the region, one of them being its topography. At the same time, I can say that the picture of western Odisha has changed. Many industrial towns like Jharsuguda have come up where the per capita income is more than Rs 45,000 (the highest in the state).
 
• What initiatives has the WODC taken for the development of the region so far?

We have undertaken a number of projects, but the public is not aware about it. The first road to the Veer Sunrendra Sai's village, Khinda, was constructed from the WODC's fund. We have decided to paint all the buildings and bridges that come up with the WODC funds in violet and green colour.

• Is the money allocated to you is sufficient to carry out the development programmes? 

The state government has allocated Rs 100 core per annum for WODC, but it is not sufficient to carry out all the development programmes. In fact, we need at least another Rs 100 crore to effectively carry out our welfare programmes.
There is a public perception that the WODC has become a ‘rehabilitation centre’ for defeated ruling party politicians and to keep disgruntled party followers in good humour.

These are baseless allegations made by the Opposition to defeat the basic purpose of the WODC. Should we think that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed Arun Jaitley as the finance minister to rehabilitate him? It is not so. The leader of the party always appoints a person to an important position taking his efficiency and public image into consideration.

• There is also a perception that the WODC is not an autonomous body and lacks real power. Do you feel it is indeed a toothless body?

Being the chairman of the WODC, I enjoy the status of a cabinet minister. We are here to serve the people and not to run after power. A lot of power has already been delegated to us. All the departments, including the public works and the rural development departments, are executing our plans and programmes. We are also getting the cooperation.
The people of western Odisha were upset after the authorities decided to set up IIM in Bhubaneswar. You must be feeling the heat at this moment!

The central government has formulated certain guidelines like the norm that the institute should be located within one-hour distance from an airport. This left the state government with no other choice than Bhubaneswar. 
There is no politics involved in the decision. Now, the state government has announced to set up a world-class open university at Sambalpur. We will benefit more from this university than the IIM.
 
• Many people from west Odisha are disappointed with the government over the delay in setting up of a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in the region. How do you respond to it?

The state government has already written to the Centre to set up a permanent bench of the high court in western Odisha. Now, the ball is in the central government's court. One should not blame the state government on this issue.

• The state government could suggest Bhubaneswar as the location for IIM. Why can't it do the same in the case of high court bench?

There is absolutely no controversy regarding the location of IIM since the Centre has laid down the guidelines. The issue of high court is a little different. The Centre will declare the location of the bench and the state will abide by it.
There is also a hue and cry over the creation of a separate Koshal state in western Odisha. I don't want to comment on this issue. However, it does not mean that the demand for a separate statehood comes as WODC fails to implement development projects. 
 
• You have been accused of grabbing land in Jharsuguda town through unlawful means. Even the issue was raised in the Assembly. What’s your response?.

I feel extremelysorry about those MLAs who had raised the issue without knowing the details. Significantly, those who have raised the issue are also advocates by profession. 
But in my defence, I can say that I have not grabbed a single inch of land. If they can prove it, I will quit politics. 
I have already sent the required documents to the chief minister explaining my stand.

• You have worked with Biju Patnaik as an MLA during 1990-95 and also with Naveen. What is the difference between them?

Biju babu was an aggressive leader while Naveen babu is a soft hearted, firm and a gentleman. You cannot find a chief minister like him now.

• The BJD swept the 2014 polls, but you lost. What was the reason?

I don't want to delve deep into that. After I lost the election in 1995, I had met Biju babu. He told me that victory and defeat are part of political life and advised me not to be bothered about it. 
But sometimes defeat gives you an opportunity to know the people around you. 

About Mohanty

Starting his political career as a councillor in 1984, 57-year-old Mohanty has witnessed many ups and down in his political life. He was the chairman of the Jharsuguda Municipality. The three-time MLA had also occupied the post of the speaker in 2008. Since 2009, he failed to win the assembly seat. He moved to the Rajya Sabha the same year. In June 2014, the government appointed him as the chairman of the WODC.

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

I would have continued as a lawyer. Had I been neither a lawyer nor a politician, I would have been a social worker. Since my childhood, I have an inclination towards social service.