Bhubaneswar: Launching a scathing attack on labour minister Sushant Singh, the state unit of BJP Sunday said that there was a conspiracy to stall the proposed ethanol bio-refinery project in Bargarh district.
Speaking to the media here, BJP MLA Pradip Purohit alleged that the labour minister is creating
obstacles in allotment of land for the project due to his vested
interests.
The proposed project at Baulsingha village in Bhatli tehsil of Bargarh district would produce ethanol blended petrol and bio-manure from agricultural waste and crop residues.
“Singh is influencing officers to stall transfer of land to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) for the project. Even though a year has passed since the request was made for allotment of land, the government is yet to transfer the land, which has already been identified,” Purohit said, adding, “Even Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is keeping mum on the issue as Singh is one of his trusted men in the party.”
Singh, who represents Bhatli assembly constituency, fears the central move may dent his popularity, alleged the BJP leader.
The BJP requested the CM to allot the land required for the project for the development of the region in the interest of the people of the state.
However, the labour minister denied the allegation. “The BJP is coming out with baseless allegation to mislead people for their political gains. If they can prove the allegation, I will quit politics,” Singh said.
Earlier, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan had written to the CM seeking his cooperation for setting up the `750-crore ethanol plant in Bargarh district.
Ahead of the much waited Bijepur bypoll, blame game between ruling BJD and Opposition BJP is gaining momentum. The BJP is attacking Singh, who is among BJD’s popular faces on the ground there.
To counter the BJP’s attack, Singh had also brought a serious allegation against BJP over farmer Brunda Sahu suicide case.
The BJD leader had alleged that BJP workers instigated Sahu to commit suicide, which is under investigation.
PNN
