Chit Fund Scam: Duped depositors put off stir after govt assures to publish white paper

Bhubaneswar: With the decision of the State government to come out with a white paper on the multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha, the depositors duped in the scam have announced to put their 'Satyagraha' on hold till February 22.

The decision to defer the protest came after the Milita Khyatigrasta Jamakari Mancha, an organization fighting for refund to depositors duped by the chit fund companies, held a meeting with a team of delegates led by BJD MP Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.

During the meeting, the delegation assured that the State government will soon publish a white paper on the chit fund scam, which will contain all the details on the total number of ponzi companies involved, confiscation of property and the total amount of refund collected, among other data.

The State government has also assured that not only small, but all kinds of depositors duped in the scam will be refunded.

BJD Rajya Sabha member Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said, "The white paper which will be published would make people aware about the steps taken by the government so far. On February 22, a meeting will be held with all the Collectors to finalise as to what action should be taken so that identification process of duped depositors can be expedited."

On the other hand, convenor of the Milita Khyatigrasta Jamakari Mancha Jayant Das said, "Since the State government has sought time to resolve our issues, we have decided to put our strike on hold till February 22. A day after, the core committee of the Milita Khyatigrasta Jamakari Mancha will sit and decide on the next course of action."

Meanwhile, State Finance Minister Shashi Bhusan Behera said that Odisha government has already begun the process of refund to small depositors.