BJP demands inquiry into selection of Kalia beneficiaries

The opposition BJP and the Congress on Wednesday hit out at Odisha Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment minister Arun Kumar Sahoo's statement that there 3.41 lakh fake beneficiaries of the state's flagship Kalia scheme.

The BJP demanded an impartial inquiry into the selection of Kalia beneficiaries.

"An amount of Rs 170 crore is involved in the scam. Therefore, we demand an impartial inquiry. Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister should return Rs 170 crore to the state," said BJP leader Prithiwiraj Harichandan.

The Congress also criticised the state government over distribution of financial assistance among the ineligible beneficiaries.

"The government cannot retrieve money from the people. They may seek refund from 20,000 government employees and pension holders and not for others," said Congress MLA Suresh Routray.

Congress will hit the streets and gherao all the block offices, district collector's office against "misutilisation" of public money, ...