We are rich since generations; from where have your crores come: Mallaiya asks of Nayak
BHOPAL : “My family is into business for the last 50 years and we are hard workers. So we have earned money. But Mukesh Nayak should tell the House how he became a millionaire in just 15 years”, said minister Jayant Mallaiya after Nayak launched a vitriolic attack on him alleging that dams constructed during Mallaiya’s tenure as water resources minister had breached in the recent rains, indicating large-scale corruption.
Calling allegations of Nayak as personal attack, Mallaiya said, “Nayak should tell the house how he became a millionaire Before that Nayak stood no where as far financial condition is concerned,” Mallaya added.
Mallaya had a heated exchange with Congress MLA Mukesh Nayak during discussions on floods in the state in the assembly here on Thursday.
Nayak said that Mallaiya, who held the charge of water resources department, should step down over large scale breaches of dams following heavy rains in the state. Nayak put Mallaiya in the dock over corruption of crores of rupees. After cabinet expansion, the portfolio has been given to Narottam Mishra.
Mallaya said, “BJP government constructed five times more dams, canals, and culverts during the last 15 years to increase irrigation. Naturally, a few dams might have collapsed due to excessive rain. But contractors would bear expenses for repairing such collapsed dams. They have been blacklisted and officials have been suspended.”
Nayak said, “The reason behind the collapse of bridge is illegal mining of diamond. Contractor Manish Agrawal was involved in illegal mining. Two dams worth nearly Rs 100 crore were washed away in Panna after the first spell of shower in the district last week. Construction of Sirswaha dam started in 2013 and completed this year. It was constructed on Baghin River, a tributary of Yamuna. Constructed at a cost of Rs 58 crore, the dam was washed away on July 6 after the first rains. Bilkhora dam was constructed on a nullah for Rs 11.50 crore and the additional expenses were incurred due to compensating the farmers’ land. Besides, two more small dams – Nachkhora and Bijakheda – were partly broken by the officials apprehending breach.”
