BJP Steps Up Attack On Odisha Govt Over 5T Secy; Questions Chief Secretary’s Silence On Centre’s Letter

Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government in Odisha over 5T Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday sought to know whether action has been initiated on the Centre’s letter pertaining to the IAS officer.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Odisha BJP spokesperson Satyabrata Panda sought to know as to why the Chief Secretary has not replied to the letter issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T), asking him to act on a complaint by BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi and party’s state president Manmohan Samal against an IAS officer of Odisha cadre.

The Chief Secretary’s absolute silence on the matter shows that the entire administration has been crippled in Odisha where democracy appears to have been collapsed, he claimed. “the Chief Secretary should end his mysterious silence and maintain the dignity of his position,” he said.

The BJP leader further stated that the way senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders are now defending the 5T Secretary and justifying his activities is really unfortunate.

Stating that the 5T Secretary is visiting different parts of the state and weaving stories of fake development, Panda alleged that the officer is also seen meeting corrupt government employees and sharing dais with murder accused.

The prevailing situation in the state indicates that elected representatives, who have won on BJD tickets, have become incapable, he claimed, and sought to know whether the role of MLAs and Minister in governance has been curtailed.

The BJP leader said that the Chief Secretary must conduct a thorough probe into the issue referred to in the Centre’s letter and launch appropriate action instead of keeping silent.

Dismissing BJP’s allegations as a non-issue, senior BJD leader and former Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said the opposition  is in the habit of raising non-issues ahead of elections and the ruling party is not worried over the noise made by the saffron party as its focus is on development of the state.