Dharmendra Pradhan slams Odisha govt's double standards on 'PC' culture

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today accused Odisha government of maintaining double standards on the percentage commission (PC) culture. The union minister's remarks came over the recent decision of the government to give independence to various departments for allotting contract works up to Rs 5 lakh without floating tenders.

Earlier, Divisional Officers of various government departments were allowed to issue work order for contracts only up to Rs 50,000.

"There is no doubt that the ruling BJD through its members is trying to rob the government treasury. Earlier, the contracts for less than Rs 50,000 were to be given without tenders at the discretion of the Divisional Officers. But Odisha CM modified the Public Works Department Code by pressurising secretaries so that two departments- water resources and public works department can issue maximum work orders to the tune of nearly Rs 10,000 crore without floating tender," alleged Pradhan.

Pradhan further stated that Odisha government is only doing drama as on one hand it is claiming that corruption will not be encouraged but on the other, PC culture has become the norm in the State.

Responding to a media query on whether he would be contesting the 2019 elections from Pallahara, Pradhan said he was keen to contest from 147 assembly constituencies in Odisha. He also stressed that the  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah is on Odisha. "We are keen to emerge as a single largest party with a majority in Odisha," Pradhan stated.

Despite attempts, BJD leaders could not be contacted over Pradhan's allegations.