In view of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)’s revelation that the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (OBCWWB) could only spent 10.23 % of the total welfare fund available up to 2016, High Court lawyer Debashisha Hota on Monday demanded that former labour Minister and present Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick be axed soon.
Quoting the CAG report, Hota said the OBCWWB had in December 2014 released Rs 78.92 lakh to three towns, Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal and Jharsuguda for construction of labour sheds but that hasn't been started till date. No skill development training has been given to anybody, he said
“The CAG reflects the real capabilities of the State Government and Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik, who never missed a single chance ever to blame the Central Government for inadequate funds. Patnaik should tell people why Rs 1,006 crore was not spent in welfare schemes by the OBCWWB,” demanded Hota.He said departmental Minister Mallick should take the responsibility and resign as the amount was not spent during his three-year tenure as labour Minister till May 7 2017.He wanted to know how the Chief Minister promoted Mallick to a Cabinet rank with important Portfolios like Steel, Energy and Mines.
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently axed nonperforming Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Hota demanded that Patnaik follow the PM and axe Mallick for his non-performance. Otherwise, it would be understood that the Chief Minister is backing the non-performers like Mallick.