Plaint against Odisha MLA for using red beacon

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Nabarangpur, Apr 8:

The district unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here today filed a complaint with Town Police Station against Odisha’s ruling party MLA and District Planning Committee (DPC) Chairman Manohar Randhari for using red beacon atop his vehicle in violation of the Supreme Court directive.

A team of saffron party leaders filed a complaint with Town Police Station here alleging the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislator and DPC Chairman Manohar Randhari of blatantly violating the Supreme Court directives. The state Commerce and Transport department had issued a notification in March, 2014 on people authorised to use red beacons on their official vehicles. It had nowhere mentioned about the eligibility of DPC Chairman using the red beacon. The MLA is moving with red beacons atop his vehicle in the district as well as outside, the complainants said.

“The legislator should refrain from such illegal activities as he is not entitled to use red beacon on the top. He has been claiming that state government has given him the vehicle. We have filed the complaint to know the truth behind it,” City unit president, Subrat Mishra said.

The BJP leaders sought action against Randhari for violating the law.

“The district unit BJP leaders have filed a complaint against local MLA for using red beacon on his vehicle. We would investigate the matter and initiate action as per the law,” Nabarangpur Town Police Station IIC Ramesh Bisoyi said.

Notably, Randhari was one of the nine DPC Chairpersons appointed in January this year. The state government has accorded them the status of Minister of State after the amendment to the Odisha Offices of Profit (removal of disqualification) Act, 1961.

The state cabinet on January 16 this year had approved a proposal to amend the Odisha Offices of Profit (removal of disqualification) Act, 1961 paving the way for MLAs to head the committees.