In response to the show-cause notice served on him for multiple plot allotments, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Saturday said his parental properties were neither in his name nor his wife and children’s name when he bought a plot in his wife’s name under the Kalinga Vihar Plotted Development Scheme.
“The plot in Aerodrome area belonged to my parents, and I have got it as an inheritor. The plot allotted to my wife under the Kalinga Vihar Plotted Development Scheme was made at a time when none of my family members had a DQ (Discretionary Quota) plot,” the Minister told reporters.
Panda argued, “My family doesn’t include (my) parents. I, my wife and our children are a different family,” he said.
On the other hand, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on the day admitted conceded that he had been served a notice for allotment of DQ plot to him.
“I have only one plot. I have already submitted a reply to the show-cause notice,” Oram said. He, however, stated that the Government should initiate lawful action if anybody has been allotted more than one plot.
“The Government can take back plots from anybody, maybe of the ruling party or any other person who has grabbed more than one plot,” he said.