Hitting out at the Government for its lackadaisical attitude, the Arthika Sansthamanankadwara Kshatigrastanka Milita Mancha (ASKMM), a body fighting for refund of money to the duped chit fund investors in the State, has decided to go on a six-month-long State-wide awareness campaign followed by Gana Satyagraha to pressurise the Government to meet its demand.
A Maha Samavesh (mega convention) of chit fund depositors would be held in November in Bhubaneswar, informed Manch advisor Rabi Das at a large State-level convention held here on Monday by the ASKMM.
Awareness campaigns would be held from May 15 to June 12 all over the State. As many as eight regional conventions would also be held, Das added.
He also informed that tehsil-level investors’ Gana Satyagraha would be organised from June 20 to October 20.
Present as the chief guest, leader of Opposition (loP) Narasingha Mishra said Odisha has been badly hit by the chit fund scam. The Government and Government officials are also involved in the scam, he said and demanded an impartial CBI investigation into this issue.
He said, “The State Government should return the money of all the investors. Promoters and supporters of the fraud companies should also be exposed.”
He also criticised chit fund judiciary inquiry commission head Justice MM Das for attending a BJD legal Cell meeting and speaking in favour of the Government vis-a-vis the investors’ interest.
Mishra pointed out that it was due to the Government’s patronage to the chit fund companies that the investors were biased with the promise of the companies for high returns on the deposited money. Now it’s Government responsibility to return their money from Government’s fund, he added.
Mishra also said, “An all-party meeting is required for the chit fund issue. If a meeting is arranged then I can find a solution to the issue.”
BJP leader Prithwiraj Harichandan said that around 20 lakh people are affected in the chit fund scam. The ruling party used chit fund money during the elections. He also demanded proper investigation by the CBI and raid on tainted MlAs, Ministers and other influential persons.
Former Minister Panchanan Kanungo demanded that the State Government return money to the affected people before the panchayat elections.
PCC president Prasad Harichandan and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik also spoke on the occasion. leaders cutting across all party lines and social activists were present along with around 500 investors.