Kotpad, 17th Sept 2025: The Citizens’ Action Committee of Kotpad has strongly demanded that the Kotpad NAC (Notified Area Council) be granted municipality status, and that the local group health center be upgraded to a sub-divisional hospital. The committee has informed the Chief Minister and concerned departmental ministers about their demands through formal letters.
The committee warned that if the state government fails to respond positively, they will be forced to launch an agitation.
Kotpad is one of the oldest NACs, established in 1962, and currently consists of 13 wards, with a population exceeding 20,000. A proposal for converting it into a municipality had been passed in earlier council meetings, and a memorandum was also submitted to the state government at that time.
Surrounding villages such as Amadāmunda, Bendaguda, Anlabhatta, Saurakuhudi, and Kuhudi are closely connected to Kotpad. The committee argues that including these villages and granting municipality status is a genuine necessity.
They have also pointed out that the Jaypur Sub-divisional Hospital has already been upgraded to a District Health Center, leaving the Kotpad Group Health Center underutilized. Therefore, the Kotpad Citizens’ Action Committee demands that it be declared a 100-bed Sub-Divisional Hospital.
Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhattara has supported both these demands and has sent letters to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the concerned ministers. His actions have received widespread public support.
Prominent citizens and leaders backing this demand include:
- Shankar Rao – NAC Chairman & Convenor, Citizens’ Action Committee
- Pankaj Kumar Patra – Former Councillor
- Ganesh Panda – President, Chamber of Commerce
- Pradeep Boxi– Joint Secretary, State Bar Association
- Gauri Pattnaik – Editor, Senior Citizens’ Forum
- All Councillors of Kotpad NAC
- Shukriya Pradhan – President, Farmers’ Association
- Representatives of various organizations
They described the MLA’s move as historic and revolutionary. They warned that if the demands are not fulfilled, the committee will take to the streets in protest.
MLA Rupu Bhattara also stated that he would raise the issue in the State Assembly if necessary.