The BJP on Sunday alleged that Labour Minister Sushant Singh has hatched a conspiracy to delay the process of land allotment for establishment of the proposed Rs 750-crore ethanol plant at Bhatli in Bargarh district.
MLA Pradeep Purohit made this allegation at a Press meet held here. He said the Labour Minister is creating obstacles in allotment of land for the project due to his vested interests.
The proposed plant, to be established by the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), would help farmers sell their straws and other agriculture byproducts and get good money. Besides, the plant, which would produce fuel by using agriculture wastes, would create many employment opportunities.
He also criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stating he is keeping mum on the issue as Singh is one of his trusted men in the party.
He demanded that the CM allot required land for the project in the interest of the people of Odisha.
But Minister Singh refuted the allegations of the BJP, saying, “It has become a tendency of the BJP to bring in baseless and false allegations; it is targeting me now as the Bijepur by-poll is on the cards.”