Berhampur: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government alleging rampant corruption in the subsidized meal scheme, Aahaar.
Speaking at a presser here on Friday, BJP's Odisha unit secretary Bibhuti Jena alleged that the ruling government's appetite for money is not even leaving Aahaar centres which are seen as ‘quick fix’ solution to the state’s hunger.
"On a regular basis, the Aahaar authorities here are preparing a list with an estimated expenditure of over Rs 30,03,000 as if they know how many people will avail food at the Aahaar centres in a month. The unabated corruption in the scheme is being done at the behest of the Chief Minister's private secretary V K Pandian," alleged Jena.
A CBI inquiry into the rampant corruption in the subsidized meal scheme is highly essential to bring the corrupt officials to book, said Jena.
However, Berhampur Municipal Corporation Mayor K Madhavi refuted the allegations of the BJP claiming that the third floor has no involvement in the operation and management of the Aahaar scheme.
"The BJP's allegations of corruption in Aahaar are politically motivated. Besides, Pandian sir has no involvement here as being alleged by the saffron party," claimed Madhavi.