BJP minister Pankaja Munde under scanner for Rs 206-cr alleged scam

Says her department did not flout any rules in awarding a record 24 contracts on Feb 13 for purchase of goods

Close on the heels of Maharashtra ministers Vinod Tawde and Babanrao Lonikar accused of holding alleged fake degrees, the state Minister for Women & Child Welfare Pankaja Munde is under scanner for allegedly bypassing prescribed norms by her department for the purchases of various goods and materials worth Rs 206 crore in a record one day without e-tendering. More importantly, the necessary documents assessed by this correspondent also revealed that some of the goods and materials procured were of inferior quality.

Pankaja’s department had purchased chikki, mats, dishes, books, water filters, medicine kits and other goods and materials in just one day. Her department on February 13 issued a record 24 government resolutions to pave way for awarding those contracts for the purchase of various goods.

ON THE MAT

• Pankaja Munde had allegedly cleared purchases worth Rs 206 crore through government resolutions on a single day instead of inviting tenders, in violation of the norms
• The alleged purchases relate to a host of items including snacks, mats, dishes and books for children under the Integrated Child Development Services by the Women & Child Development Ministry, which Munde heads

However, Pankaja, who is the daughter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader late Gopinath Munde, is currently in London and has clarified that the purchase has been done as per stipulated rules and norms.

The question of e-tendering did not arise as the rates were pre-approved. She further clarified that contracts were not awarded to any unrecognised contractors.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made mandatory that all the government purchase above Rs 3 lakh be done through e-tendering. He has also put a bar on purchases through the rate contract system.

He defended Pankaja saying, “Prima facie, there appears to be no wrongdoing. If needed, we will institute a probe. She’s ready to face any inquiry.”

Opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party alleged that it was the BJP-led government’s first scam and demanded Pankaja’s resignation. Both the parties have questioned the haste shown by Pankaja-led department for the purchase of those goods.

Congress has approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) with a plea for an open inquiry against the said purchase and procurement. Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant told Business Standard, ‘’It was a blatant case of corruption and nepotism. The Congress party has therefore, urged the Anti-Corruption Bureau to immediately hold an open inquiry into the scam.’’

Pankaja, however, denied any wrongdoing. In an emailed statement, she said, “I feel I should be given a fair chance to present our side... I have very closely observed my decisions and taken the best step for my department.” Pankaja claimed she had not broken any rules and had taken some “dynamic decisions to reduce corruption”.

Pankaja also said her family had gone through a lot of stress (following her father’s death in a car crash) in the last two years and, as her son was not well, she had gone on a break to provide him “motherly touch”.