Congress, BJP demand white paper on ponzi scam in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes with opposition Congress and BJP members demanding a white paper on chitfund scam in which lakhs of investors were duped.

"Why the government is reluctant to publish a white paper on chitfund scam? I have been demanding for a long time...But the Chief Minister has no concern over the loot of poor investors," leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh of Congress said while raising the issue in the assembly. Accusing the government of shielding ministers and ruling party MLAs involved in the scam, Singh wanted to know the politicians behind the illegal money laundering business of Artha Tatwa, Seashore and other chitfund companies. Justifying his allegation Singh said, "Government`s bid to protect persons involved into ponzi scam is evident from different kind of investigations into the offence." While Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Crime Branch`s economic offence wing is probing into certain cases, the government allowed commissionrate of police to probe into other allegations. Similarly, general police has been probing into activities of different chitfund companies, he said. BJP state president and senior MLA K V Singhdeo also supported Singh`s demand of a white paper on chitfund scam. "People have right to know about those behind and involved in the ponzi scam," Singhdeo said. The BJP leader demanded immediate return of money to the poor people who have been duped by the chitfund companies. Congress members rushed to well of the house leading to uproar and adjournment of the house for 30 minutes. Treasury bench MLAs, however, defended the government by claiming that police have arrested heads of different ponzi companies who were sent to jails. Their properties have been sealed and government has set up a corpus fund to return money to poor investors. BJD member Ranendra P Swain demanded return of money to the poor depositors alone and not to the rich persons. He said Odisha is not the lone state where ponzi companies have looted people. They are also active in other states, Swain said. PTI