Odisha chit fund scam: Second interim report submitted

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Feb 3:

Justice MM Das Commission of Inquiry, probing the multi-crore chit fund scam in Odisha, submitted its second interim report to the state government today.

Debraj Rout, secretary of the commission, submitted the report to Home Department Special Secretary Lalit Das, reports said.

“The report has been prepared after examining 61,252 affidavits out of which 19,422 small investors (investors with deposits below Rs 10,000) have been identified. Money of 1,124 depositors have been refunded,” said Rout.

It may be noted here that while the Commission had received 8,17,253 affidavits in total from investors out of which in the first phase after due examination of 26,976 affidavits it has identified small investors.

On that basis, the Commission had submitted its first interim report to the state government on May 25, 2016.

In the second phase the Commission has examined 61,252 affidavits submitted between the period August 22, 2013, to August 31, 2013, and has identified small depositors.

After verification of affidavits submitted in the second phase, the Commission has registered 181 inquiry cases and has served show cause notices to chiefs and directors of firms located inside and outside the state over demands of the small investors.

In a majority of the cases, the respondents are not appearing before the Commission in response to its notices. Under such circumstances, the Commission has identified investors of more than 170 such firms.