Govt cut short IAS Priyabrata's power

Bhubaneswar ( Orissa) : In a significant development, the Orissa Government on Tuesday cut short all powers of Secretary Commerce and Transport Priyabrata Patnaik . The IAS officer will now be considered as officer without duty. He will no more function as Nodal Officer for the Posco Project as well. He has been asked to report to the General Administration (GA) Department Energy Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra will remain in additional charge of the Commerce and Transport Department. A separate notification will be issued on the appointment of Nodal officer for Posco project. Earlier, a social activist of Dhenkanal, Manas Ranjan Sahu, on Tuesday filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Orissa High Court, urging it to direct the police to arrest Priyabrata Patnaik for his alleged nexus with criminals. The court admitted the PIL and directed to issue notices to the parties, including the State and listed the matter for comprehensive hearing in next week. In his PIL, Sahu argued that while the Government had initiated action against IG Sanjeev Marik for his allegedly nexus with criminals, why action would not be initiated against Patnaik for allegedly taking part with criminals. Since Sanjeev Marik has been suspended for his allegedly nexus with criminals, he urged the High Court to direct the Baragarh Police to arrest Patnaik. Answering to this Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "Police are investigating into the matter. Whoever is found guilty will be punished. Law would take its own course. Moreover the Lokpal is also inquiring into the alleged nexus."
By our Correspondent
Last updated: 05/04/2008 15:26:47
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