An allegedly ‘controversial’ statement by Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta regarding major chit fund depositors has drawn sharp reactions on Thursday. His statement that big investors should not complain and that divine favour protects them has been called ‘insensitive’ by critics and the opposition.
According to sources, the Co-operation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta stirred a controversy with an unusual comment regarding the plight of major investors in the chit fund scam. Reacting to concerns raised about the refund delays, the Minister remarked, “Big people’s (investors’) money often finds several outlets. What’s the problem if they lose some in this (chit fund)?”
In what many are calling a dismissive tone, the Minister added that wealthy investors are under God’s protection. “God is merciful to big depositors. Everyone will eventually get their money, but we should first serve the poor,” the Minister stated.
The comment has not gone down well with the opposition and affected investors. Many have criticised the statement as being tone-deaf, especially when thousands of depositors—both small and large—are still awaiting justice and refunds.
Minister Samanta’s remarks have now sparked demands for a formal clarification from the State government. Several civic groups are also planning to hold protests, accusing the Minister of trivialising the suffering of common people caught in the chit fund trap.
Earlier on Wednesday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed authorities to compensate an additional 5 lakh small depositors, who were duped by different chit fund companies in the State.
The depositors will get back their money within three to four months, a press release by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. The CMO stated that the current government has disbursed Rs 47.07 crore to 1,26,137 small investors over the past year.
Between 2014 and 2024, the previous BJD-led government had refunded only Rs 119 crore to 2,79,109 small investors, an official source claimed.