Tara Bhanipati Brings ‘Thana Than’ Allegation Against Odisha Minister Over Paddy Procurement

Bhubaneswar: Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Saturday levelled serious allegation of corruption against Supplies Minister of Odisha, Krushna Chandra Patra.

The Jeypore MLA alleged that the Minister has covertly engaged agents for collecting commission from millers and warehouses across Odisha. “The government has been speaking about ‘thana than’ (money) in paddy procurement. People were unable to understand whether it was meant for the farmers or for benefitting self,” he told reporters.

Speaking on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address in the Assembly, the five-time Congress MLA had alleged that Patra is collecting Rs 1 lakh from each warehouse through his agents. “I have detailed information regarding the agents involved in the collection of money from millers and warehouses,” he said.

Bahinipati claimed that a person having ‘Tripathy’ as his surname is collecting money on behalf of the Minister in Balangir district while an agent with the surname ‘Sankha’ is arranging commission in Khurda district. Similarly, an agent with ‘Satpathy’ surname is involved in the collection of money from warehouses in Ganjam district, he alleged.

Patra, however, refuted all these allegation. “Bahinipati is known for making statements without any basis,” he said.

The Minister also challenged him to produce tangible evidence to support his claim. “We will take stern action if the allegations are found to be true. Our government is functioning in a transparent manner. It is not involved in any irregularities,” he asserted.