By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam scam continues to trigger statewide outrage as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its demand for a CBI probe. The opposition party claims that the ongoing investigation is protecting “big names” while only targeting middlemen and small agents.
In a press conference, senior BJD leader Pritiranjan Gharai alleged that the ₹250-crore scam was carried out in an organised manner to sell government jobs to the highest bidders. Pritiranjan questioned why the private firm Richmind was removed from conducting the exam and why Silicon was handed the responsibility instead. “Who made this decision? Reveal the name,” Pritiranjan demanded, calling on the DGP, Crime Branch, and Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) to answer publicly.
He accused the government of trying to cover up the real culprits: “Only brokers are being arrested, while those who masterminded the scam are being protected.” Pritiranjan also raised questions about the abrupt postponement of the earlier exam date, which was scheduled for March 7, suggesting that the delay was part of a well-planned conspiracy to manipulate recruitment results.
The BJD further questioned why the OPRB chairman and the Home Secretary were not included within the scope of the investigation. “What guidelines allow outsourcing exam responsibilities to three different agencies? Who approved this decision and signed the documents?” the party asked, alleging that these agencies were deliberately chosen to make room for corruption.
According to BJD, all three key figures connected to the process, officials from Silicon, the OPRB chairman, and the Home Secretary, share a common link to Dhenkanal district, which the party claims deserves investigation. “This is not just a scam, it’s a betrayal of Odisha’s youth. The Chief Minister must include these names under the purview of the probe,” Pritiranjan said.
The party warned that if CM Mohan Majhi does not transfer the case to the CBI, it would be assumed that his office was complicit in the scam. “If the Chief Minister truly believes in transparency, he must act now. Otherwise, the people of Odisha will believe that power lies not in Bhubaneswar but in Delhi,” said Ghadai, in a sharp dig at the BJP’s central leadership.
He also accused the state government of attempting to divert the investigation and hide critical evidence: “The probe is being twisted in a different direction to protect political interests. The youth of Odisha are angry, restless, and demanding justice.”
BJD has announced a massive statewide protest on October 6, led by Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD). The party says that even job aspirants affected by the scam will join the protest, making it one of the largest demonstrations against the current BJP government since it took power.
The question now looms large: will Chief Minister Mohan Majhi act decisively to restore faith in the system, or will this scandal deepen the crisis of trust between Odisha’s youth and their government?
