KHADSE SMELLS RAT OVER RODENT KILLING

MUMBAI: Former revenue minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Eknath Khadse has “smelt a rat” in the system.

He voiced suspicion on Thursday over the Maharashtra government’s claim of having killed 3.19 lakh rats in the Mantralaya (administrative headquarters) in just a week in May, 2016.

Khadse, while speaking during a debate on budgetary demands, in the lower house, questioned the state government over its speed and the competence of the agency appointed for undertaking the task and demanded an inquiry.

The former minister also alleged that the poisonous chemical consumed by 84-year-old farmer Dharma Patil, who died after the suicide attempt at the Mantralaya in January, was part of the batch of poison procured to eliminate rats in the building.

“Dharma Patil died of drinking the poisonous chemical after Mantralaya administration failed to address his grievances. One wonders where he got the poison if any suspicious chemicals are not allowed inside the building. He got hold of the chemical from the stock procured to kill the rats,” he said.

He said the state governmentappointed agency killed 319,400 rats in a week on May 3 and 10, 2016. He also raised questions on the disposal of the killed rats.

He alleged that the agency appointed had not taken permission from the home department or the general administration department which looks after the administration of the Mantralaya building before carrying out the work.