TV
It seems that the Opposition parties have now intensified their attacks on the 5T Secretary’s visit to different parts of Odisha in helicopters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that it is unethical on the 5T Secretary’s part to tour places within the state by spending around Rs 500 crore from the state exchequer.
Without any official programme, the 5T Secretary attended the marriage function of Mukesh Pal on May 14 and later attended a family function of a local MLA on June 28, alleged the Opposition. BJP Spokesperson Anil Biswal today sought answers from Odisha CM and Chief Secretary whether the 5T Secretary is entitled to helicopter services for attending marriage function feast.
“The government helicopter is being used for even 5 km long travel. The dates which we mentioned is not any government programmes, rather it was personal work. So whether the Secretary is entitled to attend marriage function by travelling in a helicopter?” questioned Biswal.
Biswal further alleged that it is a complete misutilisation of government resources.
“The helicopter has flown around 75 times in the past 6 months. Not only helicopters, we want to know who is using charted flights and other business jets. As per our estimate, the total expenses are around Rs 500 crore in past three to four months. If such trend or drama continues till the elections, there will be a burden of over Rs 1,000 crore on the state exchequer,” Biswal added.
Senior Congress leader, Narasingha Mishra said, “The officers are not listening to the ministers. Officer raaj is going on in Odisha.” According to Mishra, the officers are only listening to 5T Secretary and not paying heed to leaders and ministers.
“Even if the ministers think that people’s grievances are true, they cannot get the work done from the officers as they are not listening to them. Who will ask the leaders and ministers if they will arrange chairs and organise for the Secretary’s visit,” Mishra added.
BJD MLA, Satya Narayan Pradhan said, “Naturally, helicopter will be used to cover a district and various constituencies in a day or two for government-related works and hear the grievances of people. There is no problem with it.”
