Anti-corruption activist and farmers’ leader Er Debashisha Hota on Friday slammed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for transferring Dhenkanal Sub-Collector Nigamananda Panda, whose suspension had been demanded by many organizations, to the Water Resources Department.
In a statement, Hota, also State president of Human Right Defenders’ Forum and Industrial loser Citizen Forum, said the Sub-Collector’s transfer is just eyewash.
“We had planned to hold a rally against the Tehsildar after reports of massive corruptions by the officer published in newspapers on July 5. For this, we had applied to the Sub-Collector for use of loud speaker. While IICs responded positively, the Sub-Collector denied permission verbally to us. later, the BJP held a rally at the Odapada tehsil office without getting permission. Motanga police too registered a case against a BJP leader. Panda informed in this context that no report from any source was received regarding BJP rally,” said Hota.
Alleging that Panda was suppressing facts to the Government, he had on August 21 sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding suspension of Panda.
Hota said organisations led by him would intensify agitation if Panda is not suspended soon.