Chit fund scam: Maoists ask CBI reason for delay

Bhubaneswar: Maoists have questioned the seriousness of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the chit fund scam in Odisha.

In posters and banners put by the CPI (Maoist) outfit at Ambadala, Muniguda and Bisam-Cuttack in Rayagada district, the rebels questioned why the central investigating agency was silent to bring to the book the Odisha ministers and MLAs involved in the chit fund scam.

“Why the is CBI silent to take action against the MLAs and ministers of the BJD government who extended support to the chit fund firms to dupe the poor people in the name of high returns on their investment. The CBI must punish them,” the rebels said.

Sources said the rebels have raised the chit fund issue to get the public sympathy for their activities.

According to justice M.M. Das Commission of Inquiry that probed into Odisha chit fund scam, at least 174 chit fund firms have collected nearly Rs 10,000 crore from 20 lakh investors.

Although one BJD Lok Sabha member and MLA were arrested in the case,  a few other influential leaders of the ruling BJD and some top government officials who extended their patronage to the ponzi firms are still large as the CBI has slowed down its investigation.

The Congress has made the tardy progress in CBI investigation in the ponzi scam as major issue. The party has been alleging a tacit understanding between the BJD-BJP to “bail out” the chit fund accused politicians and officers.  

In the posters, the Maoist also opposed dismissal of Dr Damodar Rout from the Council of ministers for his alleges casteist remark against the Brahmins at Malyavant Mohotsav in Malkangiri district.

Praising Dr Rout for his contribution towards development of tribals, the posters and banners stated “the former agriculture minister is a good person.” It claimed that Dr Rout had not commented anything against Brahmins at the Malyavant Mahostav and the whole matter was blown out of proportions as part of a conspiracy against him.