Odisha Minister in spot for taking 2 women to Hyderabad

 The Odisha Assembly on Thursday witnessed uproarious scenes over the official trip of Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi to Hyderabad where two women had allegedly accompanied him at the cost of government expenses.

Panigrahi had gone to take part in the roadshow organized by Odisha Tourism in Hyderabad on October 4.

The Speaker adjourned the House several times as Opposition members created ruckus demanding sacking of the Tourism Minister.

Leader of the Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik said that government funds should not be spent on friends of the Minister.

He demanded an answer from Panigrahi about the travelers and in what capacity they accompanied the Minister.

The Congress MLAs rose to the podium of the Speaker and sought action against the Minister.

"The Tourism Minister took two ladies with him to a five-star hotel on government expenses. Since the purpose of him taking them on government cost is still not clarified, we stalled the House proceedings and demanded resignation of Panigrahi," Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja told media.

Talking to media persons outside the Assembly, the Minister said: "Not a single penny has been spent from the government exchequer and the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) is open to all for booking. I have not violated any law," he said.

Notably, the Minister had allegedly written to the OTDC director to book their tickets and for accommodation in Hyderabad.IANS