Congress workers stage a protest in front of vigilance directorate in Cuttack on Monday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Dec. 16: Congress today hit the streets to protest against the vigilance department’s delay in taking action against councillors involved in the loot of Cuttack cyclone relief materials.

Terming the vigilance inquiry into the misappropriation of Cuttack cyclone relief materials as a mere “eye-wash”, the party staged a demonstration in front of the vigilance directorate to demand an impartial probe into the incident.

“The two local BJD MLAs and the mayor should also be brought under the purview of the investigation as the councillors took away the relief materials at their behest,” said Cuttack Congress president Mohammad Moquim.

The Congress alleged that the vigilance was yet to initiate action against BJD councillors, who had earlier deposited money in lieu of the relief materials after the probe was ordered.

So far the vigilance has registered cases against four Cuttack Municipal Corporation officials, including the then commissioner Nihar Ranjan Mohapatra, deputy commissioner J.N. Kujur, deputy secretary Nirmal Nayak and recovery officer Bijay Das.

The district administration and corporation had purchased relief materials for providing cooked food to nearly 24,830 people, who were evacuated and shifted to 73 identified shelters, before cyclone Phailin struck the state on October 12. Subsequently, the material was distributed among 29 councillors.

The government on October 21 had ordered vigilance probe and transferred municipal commissioner Nihar Ranjan Mohapatra, while deputy commissioner J.N. Kujur was placed under suspension following allegations that relief materials had been misappropriated.