Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed the anti-corruption vigilance department to probe into the alleged bribe demands made by four ruling BJD MLAs to facilitate establishment of industries in their constituencies.
A private news channel yesterday aired the sting operation in which four BJD MLAs were separately purportedly shown striking deals to allow industries to set up units in their respective assembly segments.
The four BJD MLAs in question are Susant Kumar Behera (Chhendipada), Seemarani Nayak (Hindol), Anam Nayak (Bhawanipatna) and Bijay Kumar Nayak (Karanjia).
"The Chief Minister has taken the sting operation shown by a private television channel seriously and directed the State Vigilance to probe into the matter," an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.
"If the allegations turn out to be true, government will take stringent against the persons found guilty," BJD spokesperson Sashi Bhusan Behera said.
However, all the four legislators denied the charges.
Hindol MLA Seemarani Nayak was shown allegedly demanding Rs 40 crore to help obtain no objection certificate (NOC) for an industry interested to set up a textile mill in Dhenkanal district.
"I asked them to pay Rs 40 crore jokingly as they said another MLA had demanded Rs 30 crore for it," Seemarani Nayak clarified claiming that allegations against her were false.
Similarly, Chhendipada MLA Susant Kumar Behera allegedly demanded Rs 8 crore to help in setting up a power plant at Angul.
The lawmaker from Karanjia Bijay Kumar Nayak allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from a company to set up a power plant in his constituency.
Bhawanipatna MLA Anam Nayak allegedly demanded money to facilitate setting up of a power unit in his constituency.
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Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the four BJD MLAs welcomed the vigilance probe ordered by the chief minister into the sting operation showing them allegedly demanding bribe and said it would bring truth to the fore.
Claiming that they have been targeted as they belong to dalit and tribal communities, the legislators said it is essential to ascertain the background in which the sting operation was held and the objective of the exercise.
Intention of those involved in the operation should also be unravelled, the statement said.
