HC judge to probe into Orissa polythene scam

HC judge to probe into Orissa polythene scam
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BHUBANESWAR, DECEMBER 18: Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal on Saturday announced a judicial probe into the polythene scam. A sitting judge of the Orissa High Court will probe into the allegations.

Responding to demands from the members cutting across party lines in the State Assembly, Biswal said as the State Government was not at fault, an atmosphere of doubt should not be allowed to prevail over the issue.

Revenue Minister Jagannath Patnaik said the confusion over the issue should be cleared as soon as possible in the interest of the State as international aid may get affected. He, however, maintained that if any irregularity is found, it will be the moral responsibility of the Cabinet.

Patnaik reiterated that he was prepared to place all the papers in the House for the scrutiny of the members.

Arun Dey and Maheswar Mahanty of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said the terms of reference of the probe and its time frame should also be announced in the House.

Welcoming the Chief Minister's announcement,Ashok Das (JD-S) demanded that a similar inquiry should also be ordered on the housing scam. He suggested that the House committee headed by Speaker Chintamani Dyan Samantray should recommend the State Government to order a judicial probe into the housing scam.

The Chief Minister also maintained that the Congress was not afraid of facing elections. It wants elections to be held in time, he said adding that if other political parties like the JD-S and Communist Party want it to be deferred, the Congress will have no objection.