Odisha’s duped chit fund investors ask govt to act before panchayat polls

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Nayagarh, Sep 27:  

After Khandapara, Dasapalla and Odagon, hundreds of duped investors of Odisha chit fund scam, under the banner of Arthika Sansthamanaka Dwara Khyatigrastanka Milita Mancha (ASKMM), today took out a rally in Nayagarh and issued an ultimatum to the State Government asking it to act before the panchayat polls.

Addressing the gathering, the leaders pointed out that even though the government had assured to reimburse the small investors, identification of the victim is yet to be over. Besides, they also alleged that the chit fund scam accused – many of whom are members of ruling Biju Janata Dal – are going scot free due to government inaction.

The leaders demanded swift action against the culprits and urged the government to finish identification of the victims on a priority so that they can be compensated.

“There are many companies against whom no action has been taken. There are many BJD leaders who are involved in this scam, yet no action has been taken against them. The rules need to be changed. The culprits need to be arrested and identification of the victims must start,” said advisor of ASKMM Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.

“The government is deliberately not taking any action. The panchayat election is a weapon in our arsenal. We will show our strength during the polls, should the government fail to act. Naveen Government will have to go, if it fails to pay back the money promised to the duped investors,” said another advisor of ASKMM Rabi Das.

While the investors intended to approach the collector and submit a memorandum today, the district administration forced the demonstrators to change their route plan. The investors took out a rally from district headquarter town to Sinduria in the suburbs instead.