Opp demands CBI probe into Idco land deal

The Opposition parties have demanded a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the lapses by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) in allowing industries to mortgage their leased land to raise loan from financial institutions for different projects.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in its latest report, has pointed out that, Idco had facilitated the process by issuing 'No Objection Certificate' (NoC) to promoters though it was not empowered by the state government to do so.

"CAG report will be discussed by the public accounts committee of the assembly. But after that, if the case is handed over to the CBI the erring officials can be brought to book," said Narasingh Mishra, Leader of Opposition.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too demanded a similar enquiry into the laxity. "CBI probe should be initiated against the Idco officials and industrialists involved in the irregularities," said Basanta Panda of BJP.

The actual fact will emerge only after the matter is scrutinised by the assembly committee, said Amar Satpathy of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

CAG has observed that IDCO had illegally conferred mortgage rights in the lease deeds executed with 52 MoU based and 54 non-MoU industries while handing over possession of 46,732.894 acre land, even though such power was not vested with Idco by the state government.