In a significant step toward justice for victims of financial fraud, the Odisha government has refunded Rs 49.67 crore to depositors affected by chit fund scams over the past 14 months.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed the figures in the Assembly, responding to a query from Bhograi MLA Goutam Buddha Das.
According to the CM, 1,33,755 depositors from Rose Valley, Goldenland, and Hi-Tech Estates Group received compensation based on recommendations from the Chit Fund Commission. Of these, Rs 46 crore was disbursed to 96,801 victims from the state’s Rs 300-crore corpus fund.
Additionally, Rs 123 crore has been refunded to 3,16,063 depositors under the Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (OPID) Act, 2011. These funds were recovered through court-ordered auctions of Ponzi firm assets.
The Economic Offences Wing estimates that nearly Rs 6,860 crore was invested by 24.75 lakh depositors in fraudulent schemes across Odisha. CM Majhi assured the House that the government is committed to accelerating the refund process and ensuring justice for all genuine victims.
