BJP seeks rights panel''s probe into Dal scam

Bhubaneswar, Feb 10 (PTI) Seeking an inquiry into theDal scam by Orissa State Human Rights Commission, BJP todaysought a direction to the director general of vigilancedepartment to submit their findings as on date on theirregularities in the mid-day meal (MDM) and supplementarynutrition programme (SNP).

The party also sought health check-up of beneficiariesof feeding programmes and immediate withdrawal of infectedpulses supplied under the MDM and SNP.

A 10-member delegation of the BJP today submitted amemorandum with the chairman of the state''s rights panelhighlighting impact of infected dal on the health of poorchildren and pregnant women.

The BJP which had been demanding resignation of thechief minister Naveen Patnaik over the dal scam issue, claimedthat consumption of bad quality pulses must have its adverseimpact on the health of above one crore beneficiaries,including 50 lakh school going children and many pregnantwomen.

"We also demanded immediate withdrawal of infected dalfrom all the schools and anganwadi centres supplied under theMDM and SNP," said BJP state vice-president Ashok Sahu addingthat the party also demanded stringent action against thoseinvolved in supply of inedible dal.

Though Pramila Mallik had already resigned as theminister of the women and child development department, theBJP said it would continue agitation till all the culpritswere booked.

Meanwhile, the new WCD minister Prafulla Samal saidthat the state government had already taken several measuresincluding withdrawing bad quality of dal from differentdistricts, if any.

"The state government through vigilance has beenprobing into the alleged corruption in the dalirregularities," Samal said.