Bhubaneswar: BJP state spokesperson Anil Biswal Wednesday alleged that the recently published Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report had exposed large-scale irregularities in the utilisation of mining-related funds during the previous BJD government headed by Naveen Patnaik.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters here, Biswal said the CAG report had highlighted serious irregularities involving nearly Rs 2,880 crore of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds meant for the welfare and development of people and areas affected by mining.
He said the BJD, which was now protesting against the MMDR Amendment and raising questions over mining revenue, should first explain the alleged diversion and misuse of DMF funds during its long tenure in government.
According to Biswal, the CAG had pointed out that Rs 983 crore of DMF funds in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts were diverted in violation of prescribed rules. Instead of being utilised for the benefit of mining-affected people, the funds were allegedly spent on other purposes, he claimed.
The BJP leader further alleged that Rs 119 crore in interest that should have accrued to DMF funds was not credited and was instead diverted.
In Jajpur district, Rs 507 crore from DMF funds was allegedly spent on various activities that were not necessary for mining-affected people, Biswal claimed. Similarly, Rs 25 crore was spent in Sundargarh on works including construction of a reading room at the District Collector’s residence and expansion of a municipal office, he alleged.
The BJP spokesperson also claimed that parks were constructed in Jajpur and Keonjhar at a cost of Rs 51 crore, but there was allegedly no trace of the projects.
Referring to other observations in the CAG report, Biswal said irregularities had also been detected in the payment of Rs 10 crore in excess of the billed amount to a hospital in Sundargarh during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He alleged that a contract for providing mobile healthcare services was awarded to an inexperienced agency after more than Rs 7 crore was paid.
Similarly, Rs 12 crore was spent on beekeeping in Sundargarh, but there were allegedly no bees, beekeepers or bee boxes at the site, he claimed.
Biswal said the CAG had also pointed to irregularities in the procurement of hospital materials and expenditure incurred in the name of coaching centres.
He alleged that the BJD was now trying to mislead people by claiming that the MMDR Amendment would adversely affect mining-affected areas, while the CAG report had brought to light alleged irregularities in the utilisation of funds meant specifically for such areas during the previous government.
“The BJD should stop its political drama and answer the people,” he said, asking the party to explain who was responsible for the alleged diversion of DMF funds and where the money had gone.
Biswal described the alleged irregularities as another instance of injustice to tribal and poor people living in mining-affected areas during the previous government
He said the Narendra Modi government had introduced the DMF mechanism to ensure that a portion of mining revenue was utilised for the benefit of people and areas affected by mining. However, the funds were diverted during the BJD government’s tenure.
Biswal also alleged that the BJD had received Rs 775 crore in political donations, of which Rs 682 crore, or nearly 88 percent, came from mining companies.
He sought an explanation from the BJD as to why mining companies had made such large donations to the party. “Was this a reward for waiving the penalty amounts that were to be recovered following the recommendations of the Shah Commission?” he asked.
The BJP leader further alleged that although the state government was ready for a discussion on the MMDR Amendment in the Assembly, the BJD and Congress had prevented the House from functioning.
He questioned why the two opposition parties were reluctant to participate in an open debate on the MMDR Amendment and challenged the BJD to come forward for a discussion on the MMDR Act and the CAG report.
