Photos of scam accused doc put ruling BJD in a spot

Ayaskant Das Published On : Jun 20, 2016 at 10:45 PM Updated On : Jun 21, 2016 at 8:06 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 20:

After photographs of a suspended doctor posing with Odisha’s ruling party members appeared in media, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today took potshots at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) accusing it of patronized him.

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BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma today held a press conference here and tore into the government as its leaders were seen sharing lighter moments with the accused doctor in various photographs.

“The suspended Assistant Director of Factories (Medical) Dr Motilal Gouda seen with Law Minister Arun Sahu, MLAs Pranab Balabantaray, Byomkesh Ray, Anubhav Patnaik has been enjoying the protection of these leaders,” BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma alleged.

However, the BJD termed the saffron party’s attack as mere “sensationalisation of issues”.

“If you have enough evidence that which minister or legislator is shielding a corrupt doctor then have you filed an FIR or filed a police complaint or demanded an inquiry into it? Now, it has become a fashion to name ministers, MLAs and government before the media. They are simply sensationalizing the issues. This has become old-fashioned and redundant,” BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb said.

On the other hand, the Crime Branch today conducted raids at Mangalabag, Jagatpur, Bhubaneswar and Angul.

It may be mentioned here that Assistant Director of Factories (Medical) Dr Motilal Gouda was suspended for allegedly forging the Government gazette and issuing a fake notification to the industrial houses in the state to get pre-medical examination (PME) of employees and workers done at certain healthcare facilities.

Notably, Gouda reportedly issued a fake notification on October 16 last year to over 100 industries including the PSUs across the state enlisting the five empanelled pathological laboratories and hospitals.

Further, the accused doctor sent e-mails to industries from his personal ID.

After the matter came to light, the state government suspended him and ordered a Crime Branch (CB) inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

“The signature is not mine. It is yet to be verified. Someone has forged my signature and issued the notification,” Gouda claimed.

At a time when the ruling party is in the dock over some of the actor-turned-politicians’ link with chit fund companies, the photographs of ministers and legislators with the scam accused doctor are likely to put the party in a discomfited situation.