By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 31, 2017 : Odisha government on Wednesday ordered reopening of the multi-crore dal scam case that broke out in 2012.

The government’s decision follows a report that the Jajpur district administration has paid money to the agency involved in the scam for the purchase of Dal despite the instruction of Vigilance to avoid further payment.

Speaking over the matter, women and child welfare minister Prafulla Samal said a probe into the alleged payment is necessary to know the truth.

“Even though Vigilance is investigating the case, it is necessary to know on what grounds the errant company was made further payment,” said Samal.

“The truth will be out in a month,” the minister assured.

The Jajpur district administration allegedly recommended payment of Rs 8.25 crore to the agency, Odisha Orders Supplier, involved in the scam. While Rs 4.97 crore was paid under Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Rs 3.28 crore was disbursed under Mid Day Meal scheme.

The agency was found involved in cheating the State of more than Rs 1.58 crore, on January 13, 2012, following which the anti-corruption wing had directed not to make any further payment to the errant agency.

However, the Jajpur district administration, in 2015, decided to pay the rest amount to the firm to which the Vigilance department also did not object to.

Meanwhile, the reopening of the case is also going to ascertain whether the errant agency has got the payment only from Jajpur or also from other districts of the State.