BJP demands CBI probe into mid-day meal scam

Taking a tough stand on the pilferage of rice under mid-day meal scheme now called Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-Poshan) in Koraput and other districts, the BJP on Wednesday demanded a probe by the State Crime Branch.

Dubbing the mid-day meal (MDM) scam in Jeypore block of Koraput district as a tip of the iceberg, BJP Chief Whip in Odisha Assembly Mohan Majhi told a media conference here that the objective of the supplementary nutrition programme has been defeated by the BJD government by promoting corruption.

“Reports of massive corruption in the implementation of the PM-Poshan has come to the notice of the party from Nuapada, Balangir and other districts of western Odisha. Shortfall of 4-5 kg of rice in each gunny bag of 50 kg capacity is reported from many schools. This needs a thorough probe by a competent agency of the government,” Majhi said.