Bhubaneswar: A PIL was filed in the Orissa High Court today, seeking action against Chief Minister's private secretary V. Karthikeyan Pandian over alleged irregularities during his tenure as Ganjam Collector.
Bharatiya Vikas Parishad, a non-profit organization, filed the petition alleging Pandian and nine others of showing undue favou r to an organization identified as Mana Trust. As per the petitioner, the trust was awarded contract for supply of cooked food under Aahar scheme in 17 districts and MDM scheme in three districts without any tender. Besides, the trust was provided with a free government building.
The petitioner further alleged, Mana Trust's chief, Lina Joseph is a close relative of Pandian.
"We filed a PIL on behalf of the Bharatiya Vikas Parishad today as tenders to supply Aahar food to 29,150 beneficiaries of 52 centres in 17 districts and Mid-Day Meals in three districts have been awarded to Mana Trust, whose chief Lina Joseph is the sister of former Ganjam Collector and Odisha CM's private secretary V. Karthikeyan Pandian. Was there no suitable trust or caterer or contractor in Odisha that an organisation from Andhra was selected for it? The organization utilized only 60 percent of the funds to provide Aahar food while embezzling the rest 40 percent," said petitioner, Surendra Panigrahi.
Bharatiya Vikas Parishad has sought a probe into the irregularities by either CBI or a team under the supervision of Orissa High Court Chief Justice.
The petitioner has also prayed the court to recover losses suffered by the State exchequer due to such irregularities.
"We have sought cancellation of Mana Trust's tender in view of the corruption by Pandian's relative. Moreover, the fund embezzled by the trust should be recovered. In the year 2010, when Pandian was collector of Ganjam, he had provided a government building to the trust for use as workshop without any rent. The rent of Rs 50,000 per month has not been collected from the trust since 2010," said petitioner's advocate, Antarjyami Swain.
While OTV tried to reach Pandian's office for his comments on the matter, his officials said he was unavailable.