Ready for probe if Opposition gives us proof, says Fadnavis
MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said his government was willing to conduct a probe into the alleged purchase scam by Pankaja Munde, minister for women and child development in Maharashtra, if the opposition submitted documents proving violation of the norms.
“If the Opposition gives us evidence that norms were violated, we are willing to conduct an inquiry,” he said.
Fadnavis also pointed out that the opposition itself had used the same rate contract method (negotiating to fix prices instead of competitive bidding) to make purchases under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for the last three years. “The decision to make e-tendering mandatory was taken in April but these purchases were made before that, for the year 2014-15,’’ he added.
Munde had allegedly cleared contracts for purchases worth `206 crore under the ICDS to buy items like chikki, mats, water purifiers and plates for children without following the mandatory e-tendering process.
Ahead of the monsoon session, the Congress stepped up its ante, with state president Ashok Chavan saying they would not allow the assembly to function unless Munde resigned. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, who moved the Anti Cor ruption Bureau (ACB) against her, said, “We have all the relevant documents and have already submitted them to the ACB. We will not allow any work in the assembly unless the gov- ernment orders a probe and the minister resigns.”
Munde, daughter of senior BJP leader, the late Gopinath Munde, later posted a defence on her Facebook page, hinting at the involvement of rivals both within and outside the party.
“Those who could not defeat my father when he was alive and couldn’t climb the political ladder because of him are trying to take revenge on me. They couldn’t defeat me but have managed to cause me mental harassment,’’ she said.