Activists protest denial of information on money spent in BJD MLA’s official residence
The Hindu
RTI activists protested at the office of the Executive Engineer of Roads and Building Division-2, demanding information pertaining to government funds used for the renovation of the official residence of Jajpur MLA Pranab Prakash Das
A group of Right To Information (RTI) activists on January 18 protested at the office of the Executive Engineer of Roads and Building Division-2, demanding information pertaining to government funds used for the renovation of the official residence of Jajpur MLA Pranab Prakash Das and the organisational secretary of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the capital city of Bhubaneswar.
Activists alleged the issue was not concerning one individual only, but related to mismanagement of valuable government property.
“I had sought volume of fund spent on renovation of official residence of Mr. Das, who is an MLA and senior leader of ruling BJD. The R&B Division-2, which executed renovation, did not supply required information,” said Prakash Chandra Das, the activist who sought information.
He stated, “following the denial of information, I had made first appeal and subsequently, a second appeal. However, I have not received the requested information yet. I am surprised, as the information sought is straightforward and poses no threat to the interests of the State.”
“The denial of information gives rise to suspicion that the government is hiding information deliberately to cover up attempts of altering government regulation regarding renovation of government properties,” he said.
Activists alleged they suspected that huge funds had been spent in government quarters to give it the look of a star hotel.
The Jajpur MLA, who has been a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly since 2009, is in charge of the overall organisational affairs of the party.
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