The issue of the chit fund scam involving Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma again figured in the State Assembly on Wednesday with leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra demanding a reply from the Chief Minister over the issue.
“Yesterday, we had given an Adjournment Motion on the sensitive chit fund issue, but it was not allowed. The issue needs to be discussed in interest of the State while it has already created a storm within the ruling party and the Government,” Mishra said, raising the issue during the Zero Hour.
“Ministers Dr Damodar Rout and Bijyashree Routraya and MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab, Nagendra Pradhan, Tathagata Satpathy and ladukishore Swaim have already aired their views against the Minister (Dasburm) in public. While Mahtab has termed the Opposition’s demand for Minister’s ouster as good suggestion, others have raised moral issues. This indicates that senior ruling party leaders have lost confidence both in the party leadership and the Government. The House has the right to know from the Government,” he said and demanded a reply from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
On the other hand, Government Chief Whip Anant Das opposed Mishra’s demand. “Ministers and senior leaders may have given their views outside. Their views are personal and not included in proceedings of the House. Hence, the leader of Opposition’s demand for a statement from the Chief Minister is unjustifiable,” Das said.