Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde today refuted allegations of wrongdoings in the purchase of 'chikki' meant for distribution among tribal school children in several districts of the state.
The state Women and Child Development Minister, while replying to a question raised by Congress legislator Sanjay Dutt in the legislative council, said the report of the Ghaziabad referral laboratory as well as those of 12 other labs have confirmed that the 'chikki' (sweet savoury) manufactured by contractor Ms Suryakanta were found to be of "good quality".
Munde had been accused of irregularities in procurement of items worth Rs 206 crore, including 'chikki'. It had also been alleged that the 'chikki' meant to be distributed among tribal students, had traces of clay. It was also alleged that the purchase of these items was done in violation of rules.
"When complaints were made, the state government stopped the distribution of 'chikki'. Only in one case some dirt was found in the sample. In 20 districts, where the 'chikki' were distributed, there were no complaints of fungus, metal pieces or mud being found," she said.
Munde pointed out that the decision to award the contract to Ms Suryakanta was taken in 2012-13 during the previous Congress-NCP government.
"The then government had even given Rs 30 crore contract to the same company," she said.
Replying to queries on the amount of electricity bills the company incurred during the production of chikki, she said it was not her duty to check the said bills.
"The government's duty was to ensure good quality of chikki and nutritious food supplements were provided to tribal school children," she said.
Defending the decision of awarding the contract on the
basis of rate contract, Munde said the government had allocated Rs 120 crore for the purpose.
"Out of this, only Rs 75 crore was allocated for the purchase of 'chikki' while the rest was given to anganwadi schools for providing fruits and other food materials," she said.
She added that the government's decision to go for e-tendering process for any procurement above Rs 10 lakh was taken after the contract was awarded to Suryakanta.
Taking part in the debate, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde contended that the rule mandates the company to have its own production facility.
He alleged that going by the amount of electricity bills (shown) by the company, it should have taken over five years to produce 1,500 kg of chikki.
"However, the company supplied the same in a matter of just four months," he said.
