LIVE TV
Odisha
Recommended Stories
Bhubaneswar: The Opposition BJP today raked up the issue of alleged irregularities in Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board (OKVIB) and said that Centre’s allocation of Rs 86 crore was misused.
During the zero hour, Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Pradipta Naik alleged that there were massive irregularities in procurement and sale of Khadi materials and training of beekeepers in the State.
Nayak alleged that though the price of a kit to be distributed among beekeepers is Rs 1,000, quotations were sought from suppliers at Rs 30,000. Moreover, while only 1480 people were trained, as many as 2400 people were enlisted and kits were distributed.
“The Centre allotted the financial assistance for the growth of honey farmers and Khadi industry. The rates of the boxes were fixed at Rs 1,000 but instead Rs 30,000 were sought from suppliers. Many farmers who were imparted the training did not get the kits. However, fake entries were made in papers and false bills were prepared,” alleged Nayak.
“Centre’s allocation of Rs 86 crore was misused. The government should give a statement on the matter or discuss it in the House,” added the LoP.
On the other hand, the leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Narasingha Mishra alleged anomalies in audit reports of all the universities of the State. Mishra stated that as per the Orissa Universities Act, 1989, the audit reports of the universities should be presented in the House every year but no reports have been tabled in the Assembly in last 20 years.
Pointing clear irregularities, Mishra asked Speaker Surjya Narayan Patra to give a ruling and discuss the matter by moving an adjournment motion. He also asked the Speaker to direct the government to take steps so that the reports are presented in the Assembly.
However, when Speaker refused to do the same, some members of the Congress created uproar and rushed to the well of the House forcing him to adjourn the House at 12.50 PM and again at 3 PM.
“The audit reports should be tabled in the Assembly every year. But after CM Naveen came to power i.e. 20 years back, the reports have not been presented since then. I asked the Speaker to direct the concerned Ministers to reply to the dereliction or else discuss the matter after passing adjournment motion so that the Assembly runs smoothly,” informed Mishra.
“The laws in the act should be implemented strictly. I do not know under what conditions the reports were not presented. The House will definitely discuss the matter,” BJD MLA Amar Satpathy.
