Bhubaneswar: Within a week after the launch of the 'Biju Yuva Vahini' under 'Biju Shashtrikaran Yojana,' allegations of irregularities have surfaced in tender and fund allocation for the project.
Odisha Cabinet had approved the launch of 'Biju Yuva Vahini' on March 14 with an aim to promote youths at grassroots level to be a part of various social and community engagement activities.
As per reports, the Department of Sports and Youth Services had earlier floated tender inviting Request for Proposal (RFP) for the selection of agencies for setting up State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) and District Programme Management Units (DPMUs) for management of the 'Biju Yuva Vahini' sub-scheme.
The contract to set up the SMPU was given to M/S Ernst & Young LLP for a period of one year at an expenditure of Rs 1,23,60,000. However, while the contract was proposed for 1 year, it was later extend to a period of two years at a cost of Rs 4,44,62,400.
The contract to set up the SMPU was given to M/S Ernst & Young LLP for a period of one year at an expenditure of Rs 1,23,60,000.
However, while the contract was proposed for 1 year, it was later extend to a period of two years at a cost of Rs 4,44,62,400.
While Sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera passed the buck saying that the concerned secretary of the department will respond on such discrepancies, the secretary also refused to reveal anything in front of the media.
The secretary will clarify the matter, Behera said on phone.
The BJP on the other hand alleged that in the name of 'Biju Yuva Vahini', the ruling BJD is trying to nurture its party workers at the cost of taxpayers' money.
There was no Cabinet or the Finance department's approval. The kind of transparency the State government is adopting has once been proved already - said BJP General Secretary, Prithviraj Harichandan.
Congress also lashed out at the Naveen government terming the 'Biju Yuva Vahini' as 'BJD's 'Goonda Vahini' for looting money of the people of Odisha.
"How could the State government give the tender for 1 year and allocate funds for 2 years?"
- said Senior Congress leader, Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
Reacting to the allegations of BJP and the Congress, BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy said "The programme is still in its initial stage and they are bringing such allegations because they are not aware of the framework of the initiative."