Opposition Congress and BJP members on Tuesday targeted the State Government over Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s recent declaration of ‘zero tolerance’ against ‘PC’ (percentage) culture while alleging that the practice of corruption is very much existing in all Government offices.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra stated about how a ‘corrupt’ Assistant Engineer was appointed at Balangir block office at the behest of a Rajya Sabha BJD member (AU Singh Deo) to replace the incumbent one, who had opposed a project undertaken illegally.
“The Minister approved the MP’s proposal to transfer the Assistant Engineer and appoint another engineer, who had a Vigilance case against him. This is just an instance of PC practice,” he said.
He said the Chief Minister has indirectly admitted that PC culture is going on in Government offices. “Flyover collapse is the recent example of the PC practice,” he alleged.
BJP legislature Party leader KV Singh Deo supported Mishra and said bills have been issued against nonexistent check-dams in Balangir. “The State Government is not at all interested in checking PC culture. Constriction of bridges and overbridges are knowingly been delayed for escalation of project costs,” he further alleged.
Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati (Congress) alleged that the ‘third floor’ is promoting PC culture as no work is being done without PC.
Though not recorded, Bahinipati threatened to follow ‘assault formula’ to stop the practice.
“Collection of ‘PC’ is rampant in the Third Floor (read Secretariat). So, the officials there should be taken to task first. As an MlA, I will soon enter the floor and launch the anti-PC drive from there. We will beat them severely. I dare the CM to arrest me on the spot if he has guts,” Bahinipati told media outside the Assembly.