At least six Ministers and the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly have criminal cases against them, according to reports.
They are Excise and Corporation Minister Dr Damodar Rout, Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy, Deputy Speaker Sananda Marandi, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sanjay Dasburma, Handlooms and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria, Sports, Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi and Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick.
The Excise and Cooperation Minister, while responding to a media query opined that gravity of cases should be taken into account for appointment of ministers.
In his reaction, Prafulla Mallick said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister whom to appoint a Minister. "Cases are there. Wait for judgements. It is the prerogative of a Chief Minister whom to appoint a Minister," Mallick said.
Sudam Marandi, who has many cases against him, said," I have not been convicted in any case hence I am not a tainted person. I have been fighting and will keep up doing the same for the cause of tribal people."
Similarly, Deputy Speaker Sananda Marandi said, "It all depends on the morality of a Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to decide who would be their ministerial colleagues."
Most of the cases pending against these Ministers excepting Dr Rout include organised crime, dacoity, attack with lethal weapons, assault on Government servants and loot, reports said.
