Odisha Excise minister seeks CBI probe into oil refinery's expenses

Odisha’s Excise Minister Damodar Rout has demanded a CBI probe into the huge expenses for publicity before the inauguration of the central public sector undertaking (PSU), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)’s  new oil refinery at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to dedicate the mega-project to the nation on Sunday. Rout’s statement just hours before the PM’s arrival for the important function has already triggered a controversy in the political circles in the state. Before Rout, who also represents Paradip constituency in the state assembly, made the statement, the BJD had already charged the BJP of using the government-run oil company’s funds for its party’s own publicity.  Like Rout, similar demand for a CBI probe has also been made by senior Congress leader and former union minister Srikanta Jena. BJP’s state unit has denied the allegation.

Before Modi’s arrival, a poster war was also on in the state capital Bhubaneswar between the BJD and the BJP.

The entire city has been choked with BJP and BJD posters and banners carrying the photos of prime minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, respectively.  However, the poster war took an ugly turn on Friday night when some of the BJD posters carrying Patnaik’s photo were found damaged. Party’s senior leader in the city and Bhubaneswar Mayor, Ananta Jena registered a case in a city police station.