Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Alleges Corruption in Government Job Recruitments During BJD Leadership

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has accused the previous BJD government of significant corruption in job recruitments. He claimed that government positions were sold for large sums. Majhi made these allegations while introducing the Odisha Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Bill, 2024, in the assembly. The opposition BJD strongly refuted these claims, urging Majhi to substantiate his accusations.

The Chief Minister alleged that the previous administration, led by Naveen Patnaik, compromised the future of young people in Odisha. He pointed to irregularities in the recruitment of assistant section officers in the state secretariat. Majhi also mentioned last year's junior engineer exams, where question papers were reportedly leaked.

Corruption Allegations and Legislative Measures

Majhi stated that the new bill aims to dismantle the corrupt practices of the past regime and hold those responsible accountable. The legislation includes severe penalties, such as a fine of Rs 1 crore and up to 10 years of imprisonment for those found guilty of recruitment irregularities. "My government follows the principle of zero tolerance towards corruption," Majhi asserted.

The Chief Minister emphasised that transparency and honesty are central to his government's operations. He argued that this legislation is necessary to eliminate corruption from government processes. The assembly passed the bill through a voice vote, signifying legislative support for these measures.

Opposition's Response and Challenges

In response, opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik criticised Majhi's statements. She argued that if any irregularities existed, the current government should apprehend those responsible. Mallik insisted there were no such issues under Naveen Patnaik's leadership and accused Majhi of misleading the public with baseless claims.

Mallik challenged Majhi to provide evidence for his allegations about job sales. "He has said that jobs are sold. Can he tell where the jobs were sold and who sold them?" she questioned. Mallik expressed doubt about Majhi's ability to find any wrongdoing in Patnaik's administration.

The debate over these allegations highlights ongoing political tensions in Odisha. While Majhi seeks to address past corruption through new legislation, opposition leaders demand proof and accountability for such serious claims.