Govt trying to cover up contract issue, says Congress

Pankaja had cleared 24 contracts worth Rs 206 crore without e-tendering for purchase of various items including chikkis for Anganwadis in a single day on February 12 this year.

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The Opposition claimed several discrepancies in the allotment of these contracts and has made allegations of corruption against Pankaja Munde.

All the contracts were allotted under rate contracts, which are basically mutual agreement for supply of items at specified rates during the period covered for the contract.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BJP had attempted to launch a counter attack against the Opposition over the row, with Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announcing that the state plans to probe all contracts offered under the model during the past 10 years (when the Congress, NCP regime was in power).

“Instead of announcing a probe over allegations against Munde, they are beating around the bush. This is nothing but a farce. They state government is trying to cover up the graft,” Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant, who has approached the state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) with a complaint against Pankaja said.

Pankaja Munde has claimed that she has done no wrong, and argued that all charges against her were “politically motivated”.

The Congress on Wednesday also questioned the state government’s stance on the quality of the chikki supplied under one of the contracts. While Pankaja has said that independent lab tests had revealed that there was nothing wrong with the quality of the chikki supplied, the Congress on Wednesday displayed evidence where Anganwadi workers themselves complained against the quality of the sweet.