Jharsuguda: A Mission Shakti Cafe in Laikera Block, Jharsuguda district, was inaugurated by Jharsuguda MLA Deepali Das on Sunday afternoon. However, the cafe was locked by the woman sarpanch, Priyambada Behera, in the evening over a controversy regarding the inaugural plaque.
Sarpanch Priyambada Behera alleged that her name was not included on the plaque and that she was not given a seat at the inauguration ceremony. She is also said to have been upset that the cafe was inaugurated without her permission.
After the inauguration, Deepali tweeted, Today, another Mission Shakti Cafe at Laikera Panchayat in Jharsuguda was inaugurated. I sincerely thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sj. Naveen Patnaik sir, who has shown consistent commitment to women’s empowerment as a vital element of the state’s development policy.
As a result of the controversy, Sarpanch locked the cafe gate in the evening. Attempts were made to contact MLA Deepali Das for his response, but she was unavailable.
The incident has caused a stir in the area, with many people questioning the reasons for the controversy. Some have also expressed concern about the future of the cafe, which was set up to provide employment opportunities for women in the area.
