Congress seeks resignation of Orissa minister

BHUBANESWAR - The Congress Friday demanded the resignation of Orissa’s Woman and Child Development Minister Parmila Mallick over the alleged scam in the supply of poor quality pulses to beneficiaries of government welfare schemes.

Congress’ state president Pradeep Majhi alleged that Mallick had failed to protect the interests of women and children.

We are demanding an independent probe and her resignation. We are also going to launch a statewide agitation soon, Majhi who is also an MP told reporters.

The state government supplies pulses under the mid-day meal scheme, the integrated child development scheme and the supplementary nutrition programme.

The alleged scam came to light after the state vigilance department last month claimed there were irregularities in the supply of pulses to children and women at several places.

The vigilance department has not registered any case yet but it submitted a report to the government last week seeking approval to widen the probe.