Damodar sees Pyari link

BHUBANESWAR : Excise and cooperation minister Damodar Rout on Tuesday alleged nexus between Seashore Group chief Prashant Das and former BJD power centre and Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra.
“Mohapatra had openly said in media that the deal of handing over maize processing unit at Umarkote in Nabarangpur district to Seashore was decided in his house,” said Damodar said, asking what more evidences are required to prove his involvement in the company?
Damodar’s statement came a day after the Seashore Group chief alleged his arrest by the Crime Branch had the sole purpose of settling a score with BJD's political rival Pyari of Odisha Jana Morcha.Damodar also said the state government signed MoUs with the company to take up several projects in tourism, health and cooperation sectors on PPP mode.
Damodar, however, said neither the state government nor the ministers had any personal interest behind signing such agreements with Seashore.
“The state had signed agreement with the company in accordance with the guideline issued by the Centre. By the time, the state had inked agreement with the company, its fraudulent act did not came to fore,” he said.
On allegations of Damodar about his role in Seashore, Pyari said he is ready to be the witness in the case. “The probe agency has its power to summon anyone for interrogation. If I would be ever summoned by the CBI, I would supply whatever evidence I have,” Pyari said.
Alleging involvement of more BJD leaders in the scam, he said one-third of the ruling party MLAs and ministers would be caught in the CBI net when the investigation would progress.