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Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has today ordered reopening of the multi-crore dal scam case that had shaken the State in 2012.
As per reports, the decision has come up on the back drop of a report that the Jajpur district administration has paid money to the agency involved in the scam for the purchase of Dal despite the instruction of Vigilance to avoid further payment.
Speaking over the matter, women and child welfare minister Prafulla Samal said a probe into the alleged payment is necessary to know the truth.
Even though Vigilance is investigating the case, it is necessary to know on what grounds the errant company was made further payment
- Prafulla Samal
It is worth mentioning that the Jajpur district administration recommended payment of Rs 8.25 crore to the agency, Odisha Orders Supplier, involved in the scam. While Rs 4.97 crore was paid under Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Rs 3.28 crore was disbursed under Mid Day Meal scheme.
The agency was found involved in cheating the State of more than Rs 1.58 crore, on January 13, 2012, following which the anti-corruption wing had directed not to make any further payment to the errant agency.
However, the Jajpur district administration, in 2015, decided to pay the rest amount to the firm to which the Vigilance department also did not object to.
Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha member Prabhati Parida said the government is involved in the scam and the decision to reopen the case is part of BJD’s image makeover.
“The ruling party ministers are leaders are the involved in the scam. How can you pay the company involved in the scam?” questioned Prabhati.
Meanwhile, the reopening of the case is also going to ascertain whether the errant agency has got the payment only from Jajpur or also from other districts of the State.
