‘CLEAN CHIT’ TO ODISHA MINISTER JYOTI PANIGRAHI

Report;Bureau,Odishabarta 

Bhubaneswar,28/11/19: Odisha Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi today clarified on allegations against him of taking his personal guests to Hyderabad on government expenses. 

The Opposition today created a ruckus in the State Assembly over the issue. The members rushed to the well of the House demanding resignation of Minister Panigrahi. They also sought clarification from him whether public money was spent on travel and accommodation of the two women who had accompanied him to Hyderabad.

The State government today gave a clean chit to Tourism minister Panigrahi who was accused of taking his personal guests to Hyderabad on government expenses.

In a statement in Odisha Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukha said: “No government funds were used in this regard”.

Notably, On October 4, Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi had visited Hyderabad to attend a road show organised by Odisha Tourism. But, Congress Media Cell Chairman Satya Prakash Nayak said,in a press conference, claimed that Panigrahi had made arrangements for two female guests on government expenses(?).

However, the  Parliamentary Affairs minister clarified that no expenditures for other persons who accompanied Panigrahi were made from the government exchequer.