Cooperation and Excise Minister Damodar Rout dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he said the Seashore Group of Companies, which is now under CBI scanner for duping depositors crores of rupees, had the patronage from the State Government.
"Seashore was having the State Government patronage as it was given 11 hospitals to manage. Besides, tourism spots and cold storages were also given to its management.
Be it the then Secretary or Minister, they gave permission for that; it is collective responsibility," said Dr Rout.
Detailing out the new revelations, Rout said that after taking charge as Health Minister in the earlier Government, he found that 37 hospitals were given to different NGOs and companies for management.
When he asked the concerned officials about the Government order for this, he was told that as per NRHM provision based on recommendation from a district-level NGO committee, where district Collector was chairman, the State-level committee with Secretary of Health Department as chairman approves the NGOs or companies to manage hospitals, Dr Rout said.
"I asked whether these committees are above the Government, but there was no response," he said. "MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra was involved in this as he (Seashore CMD Prashant Dash) was a big follower of his (Mohapatra)," said Dr Rout.
However, Mohapatra, Odisha Jan Morcha president and Rajya Sabha member, said Rout should place evidence regarding the chit fund scam, if he has, before the CBI. He added Rout should abstain from talking anything without concrete proof. Further, Mohapatra added that he is ready to face any CBI probe.