State to probe tribal welfare ‘scam’

The state has told Bombay High Court (HC) it will appoint a committee headed by a retired HC judge to probe an alleged Rs 6,000-crore scam in tribal development schemes in 2006.

The court had said on June 13 the allegations were serious and the state should conduct an independent inquiry and submit an affidavit within two weeks. Bahiram Motiram of Nashik has petitioned HC claiming the tribal welfare department made a number of purchases to curb malnutrition without inviting tenders. He also alleged money meant for tribal welfare was siphoned.

Tribal development commissioner S Sarkunde denied the allegations and claimed school dropout rate in tribal belts came down from 4.66% in 2003-04 to 3.75% in 2006-07.