Panel formed to probe tender for supply of material to protect grain godowns

The committee has been set up after repeated complaints by legislators since August 2024 alleging the supply of “sub-standard material” and raising questions over the sanction of tender to an “ineligible” company.

“Our minister has received a complaint regarding the said tender where certain allegations have been made (about the supply of dunnage pallets). We have now formed a three-member committee which will look into the complaints and allegations. The committee will give its report within one month,” said Jayashri Bhoj, Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies department.

The government had awarded Rs 124 crore tender to Shri Balaji and Company General Material Supplier in Gondia to supply dunnage pallets on June 21, 2024, when NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal was handling the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio.

Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane had submitted a complaint letter to the then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on August 13, 2024 alleging irregularities in the tender process.

Based on the letter, Shinde had recommended an inquiry and sought a report. However, neither the committee was formed nor an inquiry report was submitted.

After the formation of the new government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, senior Congress MLA Nana Patole wrote to the new Food and Civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde on January 12, 2025 reiterating the allegations and raising questions on the quality of the dunnage pallets. Munde too recommended a probe into the matter and asked for a report, directing to stop the supply until the completion of inquiry.

According to sources within the department, despite the minister’s instructions to withhold the supply until the completion of the probe, no inquiry was set up and instead payment of Rs 30 crore was released.

On February 16, Devanand Pawar, president of LokJagruti Manch, wrote to the secretary of the department highlighting the ministers’ directions till now and lack of action thereon.

Based on the directives from the minister’s office, a committee has now been formed.

Pawar said that he has been following the matter for several months now and will take it to its conclusion.

“The committee will unearth several hidden facts and we are confident that the nexus of officials and businessmen will be exposed,” he claimed.