Bhubaneswar, Jan 25 ( Odisha.in ): Orissa’s former Health Minister who held the charge of the Department from 16th May, 2004 to 17th May, 2006 i.e. for two years has demanded for CBI probe into the OHSDP scandal, after the WB indicted him for allegedly accepting bribe of Rs 5 lakh to pass a bill of Rs 25 lakh of a supplier.
Earlier, the present Health Minister Duryodhan Majhi had shown his courrage in demanding for CBI inquiry as he was apprehenssive about the efficiency of the State Vigilance Department in unearthing the truth.
A senior Janata Dal leader and son of former Chief Minister Nilamani Routray, Bijoyshree alleged that the Chief Secretary is acting on the behest of High Ups to soil his image in order to save the real corrupt.
Routray demanded the incoming and out going calls from the land line telephone and mobile of the Chief Secretary should be thoroughly checked up to know the details of the persons he spoke before talking to media on January 24 .
Since implementation of the Orissa Health System Development Project (OHSDP), Routray was the 11th minister in charge of Health Department.
Others were 1. Jagannath Rout (20.3.1995- 24.8.1998), 2. Amarnath Pradhan (24.8.1998- 17.2.1999), 3. Niranjan Patnaik (22.2.1999- 10.12.1999), 4. Anatram Majhi (MoS) (22.2.1999- 23.3.1999), 5. Kishore Patel (10.12.1999- 4.3.2000), 6. Smt Usharani Panda (MoS) ( 10.12.1999- 4.3.2000), 7. Smt Kamala Das (5.3.2000- 9.7.2001), 8. Devi Prasad Mishra (MoS) (5.3.2000- 6.8.2002), 9. Navin Patnaik (9.7.2001- 6.8.2002), 10. Prafulla Chandra Ghadei (6.8.2002- 16.5.2004), 11. Bijayashree Routray ( 16.5.2004- 17.5.2006) and Duryodhan Majhi from 17.5.2006 till date.
The Rs 415 crore project launched in September 1998, was scheduled for implementation in five years. However, low expenditure of funds had led to curtailment of the project cost by Rs 110 crore despite three extensions granted by the W.B. The project was completed in 2006.
The demands of Routray and Majhi for CBI inquiry has put Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a tight spot. If he does not order a CBI probe it is likely to creat suspecion in the public mind about his much claimed ” transperency”.
Routray challenged the government to order a CBI probe and investigate the role of all politicians and officers who were associated with the World Bank project since its inception till today.
Talking to Odisha.in he said, “If the government fails to order a CBI probe, it will only establish my belief that naming me, was a conspiracy to tarnish my image”.
Routray disclosed that he is contemplating to move to the court to protect his dignity and honour.
Odisha.in