Controversy on ICDS scheme, Pankaja Munde 'baseless', says Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the controversy related to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is baseless, adding that the Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde has asked the former to probe into the matter if there is any need.

"The purchase in ICDS that has created controversy is baseless. The concerned minister, Pankaja Munde, called me and said that I can order any probe into the matter if I feel the need," he told the media here.

"The decision that any purchase worth more than Rs one crore will not be done through rate contract but tender process was taken on April 17. This purchase has only been done as per state and Centre's rate contracts in February," he added.

Munde earlier dismissed the charges of corruption levelled at her by the Congress, maintaining that she has not violated any rules.

According to reports, all government procurements over Rs three lakh are to be made through e-tenders. However, the Maharashtra Women and Children Development Ministry cleared the overcharged purchase orders for anganwadi schools without inviting tenders.

The incident came to light after the Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad president wrote to Munde, complaining about the quality of food (chikki) distributed to tribal students under the Integrated Child Development Services.