Corruption Alleged In Cooked Food Distribution During Cyclone Fani In Odisha

Puri: Allegations of large scale corruption in cooked food distribution at cyclone shelters during and after cyclone Fani have surfaced threatening to tarnish Odisha government’s commitment to zero tolerance towards corruption.

According to data obtained from the reply to an RTI query, cooked food was provided to cyclone Fani victims in Astaranga block twice a day for eight consecutive days. Whereas, as per allegations, the people who took shelter during Fani were given cooked food only for a single day.

As per the government records, in Kaliakana village alone, which is also the home of Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Rs 4,25,000 was spent to feed 1000 people twice a day for eight days during the cyclone. However, the locals alleged that they were provided food for two days only and have demanded an enquiry.

Dinabandhu Behera, a Kaliakana resident said, “The officials gave cooked food to 700 people four times, which costs only Rs. 92,000. This is minister Tusharkanti’s village and he was present at the time of distribution of food here. He should know how the bill was inflated to Rs 4,25,000 from Rs 92,000.”

Not only in Kaliakana, but reports of such irregularities have also been received from Nagar and Asana areas in Astaranga block.

Mithun Kumar Behera, a local of Nagar said, “Cooked food was provided twice a day for 2 days here. We were never provided food for 8 days. The bill submitted to government is false and a proper enquiry should be done.”

However, responding to the allegations, Revenue and Disaster Management minister, Sudam Marndi said, “I haven’t received any complaints in this regard. If there are any merits in the allegations, I will definitely probe it.”