BJP Alleges Rs 40,000-Cr Scam In Odisha During Covid; Demands Answer From BJD Govt

Bhubaneswar: Alleging that a massive scam to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore took place in Odisha during the Covid period in various projects, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday sought a clarification from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in the state.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, state BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra claimed that large scale irregularities took place in different projects in areas under civic bodies like municipal corporations, municipalities and NACs.

Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government, he described it a ‘50 PC’ (percentage commission) government. The real character of the ‘PC government’ has been exposed in audit report, he said.

The BJP leader claimed that between 2020 and 2022, when people were going through a harrowing time facing the deadly virus and they were confined to their homes, the BJD government was on a loot spree.

When panchayat elections were underway the ruling party was looting the Covid funds in various projects, Mohapatra claimed. Though Rs 40,000 crore was stated to have been spent for various projects during the Covid period, utilisation certificates are yet to be submitted, he said.

The financial irregularities have come to light from the local fund audit pertaining to 2020-21 and 2021-22, he said, and accused the state government of trying to suppress the audit reports.

The BJP leader further claimed that penalties worth Rs 400 crore have been imposed on all the block administrations for scams and irregularities.

Even massive irregularities have been committed in the Covid projects in the Hinjilicut assembly constituency, represented by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the BJP leader claimed, and warned that the BJP would launch an agitation against the scams at the block and the panchayat levels.

Demanding an answer from the BJD government on details of Rs 40,000 crore spent, Mohapatra said the people of the state must know what exactly has happened with the huge money.