Opposition Creates Ruckus In CMC Meeting Alleging Corruption In Cuttack Bali Jatra

Cuttack: Alleging large scale in organising the annual Bali Jatra in the millennium city this year, the opposition corporators created a ruckus in the council meeting of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Wednesday.

The corporators of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress stalled the proceedings claiming that the CMC favoured particular agencies in awarding contracts during the Bali Jatra which reflected embezzlement of huge funds.

Noisy scenes were witnessed as the opposition corporators demanded a clarification from Mayor Subash Singh and a thorough probe into the contracts awarded for the annual fair. Congress and BJP corporators were on their feet carrying placards seeking a reply from the Mayor on alleged irregularities.

As pandemonium prevailed during the meeting, the Mayor moved out of the meeting. Amid heated arguments between the opposition and ruling party corporators, no business could be conducted and the proceedings were stalled.

Speaking to reporters later, the opposition corporators alleged that the two temporary gates (welcome arch) installed during the Bali Jatra were estimated at Rs 32 lakh. Similarly, the laser show at fair, which was of poor quality, was billed at Rs 96 lakh, they claimed.

There was a huge corruption to the tune of crores of rupees and it should be probed, said a Congress corporator.

Hitting out at the Mayor over the issue, a BJP corporator claimed that the Mayor is clueless about the huge amount of money spent in Bali Jatra.

Refuting the allegations, Mayor Subash Singh told reporters that there was no corruption in organising the Bali jatra. The opposition corporators should have discussed the issue instead of pointing accusing fingers at the CMC, he said.