Jeypore stone quarry mishap: Contractors' association targets 3rd floor

Bhubaneswar: At a time when efforts to rescue two labourers trapped inside a stone quarry near Bariput in Jeypore district are still on, the Odisha Contractors' Association on Saturday alleged that no action has been taken against the owner of the company so far as he has the support of some influential people belonging to the 3rd floor of the State Secretariat.

Even though an FIR has been lodged against the construction company DD Builders, the firm has been awarded the contract to complete the pending work of Bomikhal Flyover in Bhubaneswar as its owner is closely linked to third floor officials, alleged president of the association, Prabhat Das.

"DD Builders has close links with the 3rd floor and for that reason no one is daring to take action against the company," alleged Das, adding that awarding the Bomikhal Flyover project to DD Builders is a dangerous step,” said Das.

"We strongly condemn the government's move of roping in non-Odia contractors and agencies by neglecting Odia contractors. Such anti-Odia strategy will not be tolerated. The government has not only resorted to harassment of Odia contractors but also Odia officers. It must change such approach else it will have to face the consequences," Das stated.

On the other hand, Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda today expressed concerns over the matter through a tweet.

This is v.serious
>Repeated collapses of under-construction infrastructure
>Repeated deaths
>Repeated work orders to same killer organisations
>Repeated damning allegations about links to same powerful people in Odisha govt

Time for a P.I.L seeking nat'l agency investigation?? https://t.co/T01YRC1UNq

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) June 9, 2018

In a twitter message, the Works Department stated, "DD builders have not been given the contract of pending works of Bomikhal Flyover. Such a false allegation is not expected from OTV and the Works department condemn such malicious reporting and request truthful news."