MDM scam: Koraput BJP alleges Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati’s involvement

The BJP and Congress are now at loggerheads in Koraput district over the massive irregularities and misappropriation of rice meant for the midday meal scheme in schools. OTV had earlier telecast a report on such gross irregularities in several schools in Koraput, Bolangir, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts.

At a presser held in Jeypore, Koraput district BJP leader Gautam Samantaray alleged the involvement of Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati in the scam.

“It is unfortunate that the MLA is giving clean chit in Assembly which shows there is some nexus. The MLA needs to be brought under the purview of the investigation,” said Samantaray.

It was alleged that supply agents and officials who are responsible for supplying rice to the schools have been embezzling rice worth lakhs of rupees. Interestingly, the school authorities have failed to detect the irregularities and received the rice bags without proper measuring.

The BJP leader has threatened to stage a demonstration in front of the Collectorate if no action is taken against two contract firms after a detailed investigation.

Meanwhile, the Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) of Koraput and Bolangir districts respectively have been replaced by the School and Mass Education department on charges of irregularities in MDM Scheme. Similarly, the Data Entry Operators under the scheme at block levels in both districts have also been disengaged.

Responding to the BJP leader’s allegations, Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “People of the constituency know whether I accept any bribe or not. Only after I raised the matter, the State government constituted a committee.”

Bahinipati added, “The BJP needs to show evidence of the allegations. I will welcome whatever comes in the investigation. I will quit politics if anything against me is proved.”