Odisha: Congress seeks reply from CM Naveen Patnaik on Covid ‘scam’

BHUBANESWAR: Congress state unit on Tuesday stepped up their attack on the BJD government for alleged irregularities in the purchase of masks, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and other medical supplies for the treatment of Covid-19 positive patients. Congress also sought a reply from chief minister Naveen Patnaik on the issue.
“We will move the central vigilance commission and Lokayukta, demanding action against the BJD government. Earlier, we demanded either CBI probe or judicial inquiry into the scam,” Congress state president Niranjan Patnaik said.
Niranjan alleged that the state government purchased masks and other lifesaving medical equipment in higher rates. “Where other states are procuring masks at Rs 8 per piece, BJD government bought 30 lakh masks at double price. An independent probe must find out in whose pockets did these crores land up,” Niranjan told media persons.
Following the removal of industries and MSME secretary Hemant Sharma from a panel of supervising the purchase of essential pharmaceutical goods and medical equipment for Covid-19 management on Friday, the Congress has been sensing a big scam and seeking high-level probe.
Niranjan also took a dig at health minister Naba Das. “The health minister Naba Das has refused to respond to our questions on the scam. He said the government officials will respond. I want to ask him – did people vote for bureaucrats or BJD leaders? Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s silence has also upset people,” Niranjan said.
While the minister was unavailable for comment, the ruling BJD hit back and rubbished the Congress’s allegations. “At no point of time has Odisha government purchased masks at more than the rate fixed by the government of India. Therefore any question regarding irregularity does not arise. Corona is a worldwide pandemic and a medical emergency. The war is not yet over. This situation requires a mature response. We expect the same from the opposition parties,” BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said in a statement.
“Our country is praising the efforts of Odisha government in Covid management. We urge the Congress not to do cheap politics and belittle the efforts of 4.5 crore people of Odisha,” Patra said.
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