Orissa Excise Minister denies son's link with liquor traders

Bhubaneswar, Mar 27 (UNI) Orissa Excise Minister Kalandi Behera today denied his son's link with any liquor trader as alleged by the Opposition and offered to quit if any such link was proved.

Mr Behera made a suo moto statement in the Assembly to clarify his position in the wake of Opposition allegation that his son had business links with liquor traders.

He also challenged the Opposition members to prove their allegation or resign.

The Opposition had been stalling the business of the House for the last six days demanding the resignation of the Excise Minister holding him responsible for the recent hooch tragedy in Ganjam district.

Mr Behera also refuted the allegation that corrupt excise officials in Ganjam district were protected by him and he had directed that action should not be against them.

He said in a bid to check the illicit liquor trade in Ganjam district, orders were issued to transfer the excise inspectors and sub-inspectors involved in suspicious work to outside the district.

This apart, necessary directives were also issued to take disciplinary action against the excise constables and excise ASI for dereliction of duty, he added.

The Minister also clarified that the transfer orders of the district excise officials were withheld following a petition submitted by the Orissa Excise Constable Federation which stated that excise constable and ASI being classified as district cadre, could not be transferred to other districts or sent on deputation UNI DP PC AB LR RS2228