BJP to return money to chit fund investors

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday promised to identify and return money to investors within a year if the party is voted to power in the upcoming elections.

Speaking to reporters here, senior BJP leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan who also heads the party’s manifesto committee informed that the committee has decided to incorporate this promise in its manifesto.

“Over 22 lakh chit fund investors are protesting in various parts of Odisha and they are being misled by the State government. We will identify the investors within six months and return their money within the next six months if voted to power in Odisha,” said Mr Harichandan.

In its manifesto, the saffron party has also decided to include the implementation of the sharecroppers’ legislation (Odisha Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2017), focus on irrigation facilities and establishment of cold storages in every block of the state.

The other promises made by the BJP in its manifesto include development of agriculture-based industries and the appointment of Odias in all small and large industries in the state.

At least 174 chit fund firms have been found by Justice M.M. Das Commission to have looted 20 lakh people by promising high returns on their investments.

Several Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, including a sitting Lok Sabha member and two MLAs, were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for their alleged complicity in chit fund scam.