From what has come to fore from the alleged corruption in the implementation of Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojna and Ready-to-Eat Food Distribution schemes being implemented by the Women and Child Welfare department in Mahasamund district, the ruling Congress Government is trying to save the skin of one its Minister by gagging the Government officer, alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday. Addressing mediapersons in a virtual joint press conference, Rajya Sabha Member Saroj Pandey, former Women and Child Welfare Minister and Mahila Morcha State In-charge Lata Usendi and BJP Mahila Morcha President Shalini Rajput demanded immediate termination of the Minister in question, the BJP leaders stated that the whistle-blower Women and Child Welfare Officer Sudhakar Bodle should be provided adequate security as now his life is in danger after the revelations.

 

The BJP leaders while addressing mediapersons further demanded that a Judicial Enquiry Commission should be set under a retired High Court Judge for impartial enquiry into the allegation of corruption in the complete procurement and purchasing process, allotment, etc. In future all beneficiaries should be transferred through DBT. They also demanded making public of all related documents and communications regarding the Mahasamund case. Addressing mediapersons, the Mahila Morcha leaders said that since the last 2.5 years, corruption has touched new heights under the ruling Congress Government. If someone raises voice with necessary proof, such persons are subjected to harassment. In the latest case which came to fore from Mahasamund district, where corruption in purchasing gift items under Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojna and procurement of raw materials for food-items for Ready-to-Eat Food Distribution schemes being implemented by the Women and Child Welfare department in Mahasamund district, was highlighted by District Women and Child Welfare Officer Sudhakar Bodle.

 

The BJP leaders said that when the District Collector and other senior officials didn’t take action on his report, Bodle had to sit on life unto death and Satyagrah. Something like this has happened for the first time in State when a State Government officer had to stage Satyagraha. In both these corruption cases highlighted by Bodle, total misappropriation of nothing less than Rs 30 lakh has come to fore. Accordingly, if proper enquiry is made against similar procurement made in all districts in the last 2 years, irregularities to the tune of Rs 2-2.5 crore might come to fore, which is a serious issue. The Mahila Morcha leaders further alleged that the ruling Congress Government instead of protecting the said officer and investigating his reports, is harassing the said official.

 

Police not only forcefully took the officer from his residence where he was holding Satyagraha but also arrested him. Now the state government is feigning the drama of departmental enquiry. It is worth mentioning here that Sudhakar Bodle, Women and Child Welfare Officer Mahasamund, sat on Satyagraha and fast unto death after no action was taken by the District Collector on his report highlighting severe financial irregularities and corruption in the implementation of Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojna and Ready-to-Eat Food Distribution schemes.