CM heeds Rane’s advice, cancels Rs 60 cr contract

The Chief Minister’s action follows just a day after his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal’s outburst against the Congress that the latter was soft towards the Sena. Only yesterday he had alleged that the Congress had helped the Shiv Sena win the legislative council elections from Konkan constituency at the cost of the NCP.

Rane, in a letter written on May 30, had brought to Deshmukh’s notice that the Rs 60 crore contract was awarded to the INCCF and MSCMF without inviting tenders.

“The Food and Civil Supplies Department has awarded the contracts promulgated the orders on May 5 for transportation of mid-day meals under the centrally-sponsored scheme without inviting tenders. I feel that since the due process of law was not followed, the contracts should be cancelled forthwith,” Rane wrote in the letter.

Rane alleged that both the federations were appointing sub-agents as well as sub-contractors for transporting the foodgrains. In fact, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has found that there were several irregularities in the transportation of food grains last year. Under such circumstances, the contract should be awarded to district-level organisations for more effective implementation of the scheme.

Senior Shiv Sena leader Kanhaiyalal Gidwani confirmed the Chief Minister had stayed the contract.

The Chief Minister too admitted there were problems with his ally, the NCP. “We will discuss party matters at the coordination committee meeting, but yes, unfortunately, there is a lack of coordination at the party level,” he said.

In the June 17 elections for the seven Council seats, Deshmukh said efforts were being made to ensure that Congress nominees are not opposed by the NCP and vice versa. “We are meeting tomorrow to sort out the difference. I am sure, we will settle it amicably,” he said.