State Excise and Cooperation Minister and Paradip MlA Damodar Rout’s comments on the sunken ship Black Rose near the Paradip coast has sparked off a heated debate between him and State BJP president KV Singh Deo.
Singh Deo on Friday said Rout should spell out the names of those who had brought the ship to Paradip and reveal who was transporting goods through it. “Why is Dr Rout scared of spelling out the names of who had brought the ship to the port and were transporting goods through itIJ He should come out with the names of who were involved in it rather than make wild allegations and leave it at that,” said Singh Deo.
In his response to Singh Deo’s comments, Dr Rout said; “It’s not my job to investigate. That is why I have demanded that the Centre investigate the matter. How do I know what was being carried by the ship and who brought itIJ I am not investigating officer. All that I had said was the matter needs to be investigated by the Centre and clearance should be made for smooth facilitation of ships into the Paradip Port.”
Paradip Port Trust Chairman Sudhanshu Sekhara Mishra said the sunken ship Black Rose poses no threat to entry and exit of vessels from the port as it is at a good distance from the Channel 2 of the port . The matter is in the Odisha High Court. As per the court’s order, the Collector of Jagatsinghpur district is the receiver of the ship, Mishra said, adding that a technical committee has submitted its report to the High Court and the matter is in the court.