BJP accuses Odisha govt of suppressing MDM scam, BJD refutes  

Launching a broadside against the ruling BJD government over MDM scam, the State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday alleged that the government is in a damage control mood as it is trying to suppress the scam. 

Addressing a press conference, BJP MLA Mohan Charan Majhi said the media had unearthed the scam in supplying MDM rice in Koraput’s Jeypore town and its nearby areas. “The fraud is a super scam,” alleged the legislator, adding that he had raised the issue during the zero hour in the Assembly on July 20.  

“It was found that a 50-kg rice packet weighed 46 kilograms. It is simple mathematics that if a packet has a shortage of 4 kilograms of rice, there will be an 8-kilogram shortage in one quintal. All those starting from the lower rung of the ladder to the top are involved in the scam,” alleged Majhi. 

“Instead of going deep into the fact as to why less amount of MDM rice was supplied, the government completed its job by merely transferring CRCC and teachers. Besides Koraput district, cases of MDM scams have also been reported from other districts including Bolangir and Nuapada. The fairness in the process of appointing people to supply MDM rice is also in question,” alleged the MLA. 

While the reactions from the Supply department are yet to be received, BJD MLA Rajkishore Das termed the allegations as baseless. 

“What I have seen and come to know is that the weighing machines are showing the right weight. The concerned department is also ensuring it,” said Das.