The controversy over alleged large-scale corruption in the Bali Yatra 2023 does not seem to die down with an important council meeting of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) witnessing ruckus over the issue on Wednesday.
As per reports, some opposition corporators questioned CMC Mayor Subash Singh and Commissioner Nikhil Pavan Kalyan over the alleged corruption and demanded an immediate probe in this matter. They showed placards in the meeting and when the Mayor tried to intervene, they created ruckus.
The corporators of both ruling party and Opposition engaged in arguments and shouting following which the Commissioner and Mayor left the meeting midway.
It is pertinent to mention here that a row has erupted over the conduct of Bali Yatra this year after allegations of corruption were brought up by Corporators including one from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
As per reports, the two temporary gates (welcome arch) made with bamboo and other materials installed at Bell View Square and Telengapentha were billed at Rs 32 lakh. Similarly, the laser show at Bali Yatra, which was of so poor quality that it could only run for the first two days, was billed at Rs 96 lakh.
The Corporators alleged that there has been a massive corruption in many events and structures erected for the recently concluded Bali Yatra.
Cuttack Mayor had earlier compared corporators who have brought corruption allegations against the CMC with ‘Kala Pahad’ and said, “It hurts me a lot to see people jumping into conclusions and bringing allegations without any documentary evidence. Not a single penny has been paid to any supplier. These kinds of leaders should not have been born here. They are making statements like Kala Pahada.”