Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday gave clean chits to two of his ministers who have been targeted by the Opposition Congress for their alleged involvement in multi-crore coal scam.
Making a statement in the House, Mr Patnaik said urban development minister Badrinarayan Patra and mass education minister Pratap Jena were innocent and they did not have any role in the coal scam.
“Minister Mr Pratap Jena was not the chairman state-owned Orissa Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) when coal distribution policy was announced. He is no way connected with the coal distribution irregularities that took place in the state corporation. Similarly, I would like to clarify that urban development minister Badrinaryan Patra had no role in the appointment OSIC handling agents. The agents were appointed by the tender manager and general manager of the OSIC,” the chief minister said.
Stating that his government did not tolerate corruption, Mr Patnaik said corrupt politicians and officials were never spared whenever allegations were brought against them.
“My government does not believe in corruption and irregularities. Whosoever were found involved in corruption in the past, were punished without any fear and favour,” the chief minister remarked, adding, the vigilance department was probing into the scam.
Unsatisfied with Mr Patnaik’s statement, the Congress members walked out, announcing to continue their demand for resignation of the two ministers. The later, staged dharna in front of the Gandhi statue in the Assembly premises.
“The chief minister himself has come under suspicion by trying to shield his ministers. We will not allow cooperate in the business of the Orissa Legislative Assembly until the chief minister drops the tainted minister,” Opposition chief whip Prasad Harichandan told reporters outside the Assembly. The Orissa Legislative Assembly has failed to transact its regular business since the budget session resumed after a brief holiday on Tuesday.
To end the impasse, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat called an all-party meeting in the afternoon. However, it could not take any decision as the Congress representatives kept themselves away from the meeting.