Balasore (Orissa), Feb 26 (Odisha.in) Sitting BJP Member of Parliament from Orissa’s Balasore district Kharabela Swain has accused Orissa Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal of sanctioning flood damage assistances to non-flood areas in the district.
Talking to media persons Monday Swain alleged that the minister has sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for Balasore Municipality and Rs 25 lakh for Soro NAC to be utilized for repairing of roads.
“What is astonishing that no severe damage was reported in these two areas during the last year floods in comparison to other parts. Areas like Jaleswar which were hit by consecutive four floods are yet to get proper attention,” he pointed out.
“Surprisingly, the money hasn’t been given to construct damaged houses or schools. As per the documents available with me, only roads will be repaired with this fund,” he informed.
Quoting the chairman of Balasore Municipality as saying, Swain told that Samal might have taken ‘percentage’ for releasing the fund. “Otherwise what could be the motivation or reason behind this?” he asked.
Though the three-time MP didn’t directly charge the minister of taking ‘bribe’ for the purpose, but didn’t rule out his bad intention behind it.
“Neither myself nor our party district president has recommended to sanction money for the municipality and NAC. Even the president who happens to be the MLA Jaleswar has told me umpteen times that the revenue minister has not given assistances to his areas which was badly damaged in floods,” he charged.
“Moreover, the minister has given funds to the areas those are represented by non-BJP members while his party MLAs are sidelined when it comes to getting assistances,” he claimed.
Unearthing the intention of the revenue minister Swain further claimed that he hasn’t given such attention to his home district Bhadrak, which was also hit by floods last time. “The money sanctioned by the minister will ultimately be spent against me and my party works in the district,” he alleged categorically.
The BJP MP hit hard on the minister, his arch rival, saying that providing government funds in this way is nothing but to create an opportunity to ‘swindle’ public money. “The money will be spent on roads and for sure a year after you will find the roads again have been damaged.”
“Just see how the money will be spent. Tenders have been floated and it is strictly mentioned that only municipality contractors will be awarded works,” he said.
While, both Swain and Samal are the BJP national executive committee members, in addition Swain holds the post of deputy chief whiff of BJP in parliament and in-charge of Tripura and West Bengal.
Odisha.in