Vigilance raids gas agency of Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s brother

Bhubaneswar: Vigilance officials on Saturday carried out raids at various petrol pumps and gas agencies across the state including the gas agency of Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s brother in Talcher.

A five-member team of the Odisha Vigilance conducted raids on Soumendra Kumar Pradhan’s Handidhua-based Pradhan Gas Service main office, godown, and personal residence.

Soumendra Pradhan is the owner of this firm for over the last one decade.

The raids of Vigilance department came after CBI raids on BJD leaders for their involvement in the Seashore chit fund scam.

The Vigilance also conducted raids at several petrol pumps and gas agencies in Puri, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurdha and Angul.

A joint team of officials of the Vigilance and Supplies departments is examining the quality and quality of quantity petrol and diesel at the petrol pumps.

“Statewide joint surprise check of petrol pumps and some LPG Gas depots is conducted. Especially in the districts of Cuttack, Puri, Khurda, Balasore, Bhadrak, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Angul, Dhenkanal, Nabarangpur, Ganjam etc. A joint check is being conducted by Vigilance along with the departments of Civil Supplies and Weights & Measures,” said Odisha Vigilance Director R.P. Sharma.

Earlier, it was alleged petrol was adulterated with other cheap fuel and customers were provided with less quantity of fuel than the quantity they pay for. Acting on the allegations, the Vigilance Department conducted the sudden raids on the petrol pumps.