BackCongress accuses Pankaja Munde of role in Rs206 crore scam
The party has alleged Munde bought items worth Rs206 crore related to her ministry without inviting bids
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Mumbai: The Maharashtra unit of the Congress has lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption bureau against the state’s women and child development minister, Pankaja Munde, for her alleged role in buying items worth ₹ 206 crore related to her ministry without inviting bids.
In the complaint, Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant said: “Munde approved purchase of various items such as chikki (a sweet made out of jaggery and peanuts) worth ₹ 37 crore for distribution in boarding schools for schedule-tribe children, without calling a tender, when the state government’s rule clearly state all purchases above ₹ 3 lakh must be done through the e-tendering process."
Munde, however, denied any wrongdoing. In an emailed statement, she said, “I feel I should be given a fair chance to present our side.... I have very closely observed my decisions and taken best step as much as possible for my department." Munde claimed she had not broken any rules and had taken “dynamic decisions to reduce corruption".
The Congress has also alleged that notebooks and textbooks, water filters, medicines and machines, which measure level of malnutrition among the children were bought without any tender. The complaint also alleged that Munde cleared purchase of 24 such items without tender and overruled department officials who recommended that since all these purchases are above ₹ 3 lakh, tendering process should be followed.
PTI contributed to this story.
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