BJP flays Naveen for going soft on Vedanta University

BHUBANESWAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday flayed the Naveen Patnaik government for not taking any action on the findings of Lok Pal on Vedanta University Project and trying to “shield” political leaders and bureaucrats who facilitated illegal transfer of lands in favour of the said project.

“The Lok Pal report says in no uncertain terms about the gross irregularities committed to favour the Vedanta Group with regard to their university project. But the chief minister’s office, in stead of taking any action, has come out a press release that says the report could not be made public and published in media unless it is tabled in the state Assembly. This is just a plea to avoid responsibility,” senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said.

He added that there was no law that prescribed that a report on Lok Pal could not be published in media.

He alleged that the chief minister was himself trying to suppress the irregularities in Vedanta University project as “it was born in his office.”

BJP Legislature Party Leader, Mr K.V. Singhdeo, said that the reports which the government does not agree and sends back to the Lok Pal are sent to Governor for his perusal. “Such reports of disagreement are called special reports and these documents are tabled in the House,” he said.

Mr Mohapatra said the state government could not hide its favouritism shown to the Vedanta as the Lok Pal report has come out with minute details on irregularities.

“The more the government wants to cover up its wrongdoings, the more trouble it will invite,” Mr Mohapatra warned adding, the BJP would thoroughly expose the political leaders and officials who caused “irreparable loss” by compromising with the state interest.

The veteran leader observed that the press statement issued by the chief minister’s office aimed at denigrating the officer of the quasi judicial body.