Pandemonium in Odisha Assembly over chit fund money

Bhubaneswar, May 4: The Odisha Assembly on Wednesday witnessed chaotic scenes, with the ruling Biju Jata Dal (BJD) and opposition parties trading barbs over the chit fund scam that has rocked the state. Congress and the Bharatiya Jata Party (BJP) legislators created a ruckus in the House, seeking clarifications from Chief Minister veen Patik over the transfer of money to BJD’s bank account, allegedly by a chit fund accused. However, ruling party members rejected the charge and demanded an apology from the Leader of Opposition rasingh Mishra for “misleading the House” on the issue. The pandemonium forced the Assembly Speaker to adjourn the House several times. Amid the din, Law Minister Arun Sahu rejected the allegations levelled by the Congress. He said opposition leader Mishra’s charge that chit fund money was credited to the BJD bank account was not based on truth. “The allegation levelled by leader of opposition that the BJD received money from chit fund scam accused Purchandra Padhi is false. The fund in question was transferred by one BJD worker with a similar me,” the minister said. He said the BJD has received funds from the general electoral trust between the years 2000 and 2014. While the Congress received Rs.100 crore, BJP got Rs.70 crore and BJD received Rs.13 crore.  (IANS)