While talking to reporters in Sambalpur, Pradhan said bureaucrats and officers have no moral rights to behave in such a manner with journalists.
"I dislike the way the bureaucrat misbehaved with the journalist. Moreover, officers don't have any moral right to misbehave with media which is the fourth pillar of our democracy. I am utterly surprised over Dev's behaviour," said Pradhan.
The Sambalpur MP also condemned the attack on Utkal Bharat president Kharabela Swain during a public meeting at Kashipur in Rayagada yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Koraput Press Club has denounced the misbehaviour of Dev and stated the efforts to throttle the voice of media will not be successful.
"We demand that the bureaucrat should immediately apologise for his misbehaviour," said Bhabani Shankar Mishra, president of the Korapur Press Club.
It is pertinent to mention that the Sports Secretary lashed out at the OTV journalist inside his official chamber on November 21 when the latter had gone to seek the official’s comments on the Hockey World Cup.
Dev reportedly asked the reporter to go out of his room and stated that it was neither a park nor a public place and he was not invited.
Dev was reportedly aggrieved over OTV report which brought out the discrepancies and hassles faced by thousands of fans during online ticket sale of the opening ceremonies of the Hockey World Cup.
Pradhan raised concerns over the delay in developmental works from the MPLAD fund due to lack of administrative supervision by the Collectors of Sambalpur, Angul and Deogarh districts.
He wrote, “It is the responsibility of the respective collectors to supervise the work and submit Utilisation Certificate (UC) to the central government.”
Funds for 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal have not been released due following non-submission of the UCs, he pointed out.
“I may request your kind intervention in this matter and also request you to kindly instruct the officials concerned to submit the UCs of completed work for the aforesaid years so that further funds for the welfare and upliftment of people of my constituency are released,” Pradhan pointed out.
However, the three district Collectors were not available for comment.
The girl, Rishna Pradhan of Hemasurpada village under Athamallik block of the district has been suffering from a critical heart problem since her birth. Rishna's mother Swagatika Pradhan said that they came to know about her illness after three-months of her birth and later even though they consulted many specialists, there was no improvement in her health conditions.
A few months ago when her health condition deteriorated, Rishna's family members took her to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar but found that her treatment is only possible outside of state. But as they were unable to afford the cost of treatment outside of the state, Rishna's family become hopeless.
It is during this period, that they came in contact with Rosalin Das, a social worker and with her help, they sought assistance of Mridula Pradhan, wife of Union Minster Dharmendra Pradhan for treatment of Rishna.
Coming to know about the situation, Union Minster Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambalpur MP Nitesh Gangadeb met specialist doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi and discussed about Rishna's condition. After necessary arrangements, Rishna has been shifted to Delhi AIIMS for surgery. The cost of her treatment will be compensated from PM relief fund.