Odisha minister gave himself a house under discretionary quota !

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, Aug 1:

While the row over BJD MP Kalpataru Das’s family availing more than one house under discretionary quota is yet to die down, yet another case has come to the fore where a chairman of Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB) has taken possession of a house under the quota during his tenure.

Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma had availed a house during his tenure as chairman of the corporation in 2009, a revelation that will further embarrass the government, which is under attack over allocation of more than one houses to Kalpataru Das’ family members.

Dasburma had availed one flat (HIG plot no.2) at Nandan Enclave, Kalarahanga in Bhubaneswar in 2009 for Rs 13,06, 200. However, he had later returned the flat to OSHB saying he was not interested in it.

The chairman, who had been appointed to look after the interests of the public, thus looked after his own interests instead in grabbing the house under the discretionary quota.

Prior to this, former minister Pramila Mallick and Parliamentary Minister Bikram Arukh had returned houses to government.

Dasburma was in the news recently after his name figured in carrying out unauthorized construction in the state capital. The opposition Congress and BJP had disrupted the Assembly several times during the budget session that ended on July 28.