Ramesh Chandra Majhi

Bhubaneswar, April 6: Odisha higher education minister Badri Narayan Patra today turned down the Opposition’s demand for a crime branch inquiry into an allegation of favouritism to sports and youth services minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi.

Majhi is studying for a degree in distant education mode under Berhampur University. Interestingly, his examination centre – Panabeda College — falls not only within his Assembly constituency but he also happens to be the governing body chairman of the college.

The Panabeda College was founded by his father the late Jadav Majhi.

Alleging that favour was shown to Majhi in selecting his examination centre, Opposition members, including leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh, today said the Odisha government was adopting a double standard while dealing with the welfare of the tribal people.

“The Opposition is not against minister getting best possible education, but it is dead against dilution of the examination process. A crime branch inquiry should be ordered to look into the examination centre selection process,” said Singh.

Congress legislator Santosh Singh Saluja alleged that the government had fixed the examination centre with an intention to give Majhi undue favour.

“The question paper leak episode rocked the Plus Two examinations. Now, question marks are being raised on the veracity of the Plus Three exam process,” Saluja said.

In response to the Opposition’s allegation, Patra said the Odisha government had no role in conducting the plus three exams.

Later, Congress MLAs staged a walkout.