Chitgate: Database preparation work to start in a week

Bhubaneswar: Work on preparation of database of chit fund depositors will be started within a week’s time, said R.N. Palai, executive director of Odisha Computer Application Center (OCAC), here today.
OCAC has been entrusted with the job by the Justice R.K. Patra Commission of Inquiry probing the multi-crore chit fund scam in the State.

“Today, we discussed about the digitization of the list of depositors who have filed affidavits with the commission. Within a week, the work will be started and we will have two shifts to expedite it,” Palai told mediapersons after a meeting at the commission’s office.

OCAC has engaged two firms – city-based Print Link Computer and Communications Ltd and Mumbai-based SHCIL Projects – for preparing the database.

Meanwhile, former chief justice of India G.B. Patnaik has opined that there is little chance of the duped depositors getting back their money until and unless the State government spends money from its exchequer for it.

“Even if auctioning of seized properties of the chit fund firms involved in the loot, it will not be enough,” he added.

Notably, the State has set up a corpus fund of Rs 300 crore in November last year for the protection of interest of the depositors.