BJP alleges Rs 40k-Cr corruption during Covid-19 pandemic by Odisha govt

By C. R. Beura

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday alleged a massive scam worth Rs 40,000 crore committed in the Covid-19 pandemic response activities by the Odisha government.

Speaking to reporters here, senior BJP leader Manoj Mohapatra said the 2020-21 and 2021-22 Local Fund Audit reports has indicated gross management of fund and pointed to swindling of nearly 40,000 by a section of dishonest officials of urban local bodies as they implemented by various initiatives to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The BJP leader said such gross loot of money could not have happened without active patronage by the ruling party leaders.

“During the period between 2020 and 2022, while people were going through a harrowing time facing the deadly virus and they were confined to their homes, the BJD government headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was on a plundering spree. At that time panchayat elections were underway. The party was looting the Covid funds in various projects. Nearly, Rs 40,000 crore was stated to have been spent for various projects during the Covid period, but utilisation certificates of the fund have not been submitted,” he said.

In an apparent derision directed at the BJD, Mohapatra said, “Perhaps the BJD wants the Covid-19 revisit Odisha so that it would get another opportunity to loot public money. It has no concern for the suffering of the people.”

The BJP leader added that penalties worth Rs 400 crore have been imposed by the Local Fund Audit on all the block administrations for scams and irregularities.

“Even massive irregularities have been committed in the Covid projects in the Hinjilicut assembly constituency, the home turf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,” Mohapatra. He warned the BJP of statewide agitation if actions were not taken against the errant officials.

There was, however, no reaction from the BJD on the BJP’s allegation.