Balasore, Feb 27(Odisha.in) In a surprising development Balasore Sadar MLA Arun Dey, who is a leading leader of the opposition has come to the rescue of Orissa revenue minister Manmohan Samal.
Talking to the newsmen, the firebrand legislator termed the statement of Balasore MP Kharabela Swain as ‘highly irresponsible’ and said the minister has no connection with sanctioning the funds under flood damage repairs (FDR).
“The records containing the releasing of such funds don’t go to the minister’s table. FDR grant is distributed by a committee of task force, headed by the Chief Secretary with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) as a member.
So without knowing the administrative procedures the MP has unnecessarily blamed the minister,” Dey claimed. Also coming to the rescue of the municipality chairman the MLA said whatever it was doing is legal and for the development of Balasore town.
On Monday, Swain had alleged huge amount of ‘kickback’ between the Revenue Minister and Balasore Municipality chairman Anup Das for the sanction of a sum of Rs 2.5 crore for repair and maintenance of roads that falls under the civic body’s jurisdiction.
The MP also had alleged that the revenue ministry was releasing flood assistances to the non-flood areas and the money sanctioned by the minister will ultimately be spent against him (Swain) and his party workers in the district.
But the remark of the MLA in favour of the minister, a senior BJP leader, has however raised many eyebrows in the political circle here.
Questioning the integrity of the legislator, Pradip Kumar Pati, district president of Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM) said, “Dey always blames the ruling party and particularly the ministers in the Assembly.
He doesn’t even forget to charge with them for various corruptions. But it is surprising, why does he come to the rescue of the revenue minister.” “Is he involved in the kickback?” Pati asked.
Today, a group of detractors of Swain from the BJP led by Remuna block chairman Madan Mohan Dutta and Congress supporters burnt the effigy of the MP at Phandi Chhack here and termed him as an irresponsible leader who always opposes developmental works in the district.
Odisha.in