Cong for SC-monitored probes in Odisha mining, chitfund scams

Congress on Sunday alleged that the Centre was “blackmailing” the Naveen Patnaik dispensation to get BJD’s support in Parliament, citing Union Minister Jual Oram’s purported comments about Odisha government being “let off” in “scams”, and sought Supreme Court-monitored probes.

Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh demanded that the apex court monitor the CBI investigations in chit-fund and mining scams in the state, claiming that Oram’s “honest admission” in an interview makes it clear that the Centra has virtually subverted the CBI probe into the chitfund scam.

CBI had “reached the door steps” of Chief Minister Patnaik in the chit fund scam, Congress claimed and alleged that a deal was struck between the BJD supremo and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at their “secret meeting” after which the agency slowed down its probe.

To a query whether the party will move the apex court, he said it will take a call on this.

Flanked by Odisha Congress president Prasad Harichandan at a press conference, Ramesh played a recent media interview of Oram in which he purportedly said, “The central government has let the state government off in many issues including chit fund and mining scams. Had it not been the case, the CBI would have finished them off already. They should thank the Centre for it.” 

Oram, however, had claimed on Saturday that his statement has been misinterpreted. “I have not spoken about any deal. I on Saturday told the TV (channel) that CBI going slow in chitfund and mining scam is the perception of the people. Not my own,” he had said.

He had asserted that there was no deal between BJD and BJP. “BJD is sometimes supporting us and sometimes opposing NDA government. There is absolutely no deal between the BJD and BJP as alleged by the Congress,” Oram had said.