The OTDC Contractors’ Association on Wednesday slammed the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Managing Director MR Patnaik for his alleged nexus with certain contractors and diverting funds meant for development of tourism spots to other organisations.
“Since 2006, Patnaik is serving at the OTDC in various positions. But since he became the MD of OTDC in mid-2013, his questinable activities have crossed all limits,” alleged association vice-president AP Champatiray here at a Press conference.
Champatiray said, “Despite having its own engineering wing, the OTDC Chairman is diverting funds of various projects to district Collectors, the IDCO and the Water Resources Department on the pretext of unavailability of engineers. Why is the Chairman not taking any initiatives for appointment of executive, assistant and junior engineersIJ”
He also alleged that the MD is allowing tenders to a select section of contractors illegally, for which there is corruption to the tune of crores of rupees.
Association General Secretary Subhash Kumar Biswal alleged that 20 to 40 per cent of work costs are being collected from contractors by intentionally withholding their bills for years.
“When we are opposing the illegality, the MD is taking the name of an Additional Chief Secretary and a senior Minister is threatening us. We urge the Government to set up a high-level inquiry committee to probe the illegalities, failing which we will stage demonstration in front of Assembly,” said Biswal.