BJP moves ED over distribution of mobile phones to Biju Yuva Vahini members

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of BJP has accused a few private companies of showing undue favours to the State Government by distributing free mobile phones among Biju Yuva Vahini (BYV) volunteers across all the districts.

A delegation of the saffron party led by State Vice-President Samir Mohanty on Tuesday moved the Enforcement Directorate and also met Income Tax Commissioner and submitted a memorandum complaining against those private companies.

The BJP released a list of the companies providing the smart phones. These included Triveni Earth Movers, Sirajuddin and Company, Maa Uttarayani Roller and Flour Millers, Aryan Mines and Trading Corporation and Kalyani Enterprises.

In the memorandum, the BJP alleged that these companies have been assigned to distribute 5,000 mobile phones among BYV volunteers in each block, with an expenditure of Rs 750 crore.

“We met the Enforcement Directorate and filed an FIR against the corrupt companies who have been enjoying undue privileges from the Government. These companies have been assigned to distribute mobile phones among the Biju Yuva Vahini youths,” alleged Mohanty.

Refuting the charges, BJD Vice-President Surjya Narayan Patro said, “BJP is thinking that the Biju Yuva Vahini which is named after Biju Babu, is related to Biju Janata Dal. BJD has nothing to do with BYV. The BYV is formed to provide assistance to the distress people in their respective areas.”