The 'scam' relates to purchases of food stuff, dishes, mats and books for tribal students ordered by the department in alleged violation of rules. The PIL, filed by Hemant Patil, president of Pune-based political outfit 'Desh Bachao Party', also prayed that ACB be directed to probe the 'scam' and if, necessary, file an FIR against the minister concerned and government officers who might be involved in the purchase allegedly in violation of rules.
The PIL is likely to come up for hearing <g data-gr-id="26">some time</g> next week, the petitioner's lawyer R N <g data-gr-id="22">Kachave</g> said. The petition alleged that Munde had received a written complaint from Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad about bad quality of '<g data-gr-id="23">chikki</g>' (food stuff) provided to tribal students by <g data-gr-id="25">government</g> under Integrated Child Development Services programme. The complaint alleged that the '<g data-gr-id="24">chikki</g>' was found contaminated with clay, it said.
The petition further alleged that the department had ordered purchases of some items such as <g data-gr-id="19">chikki</g>, mats, books and dishes at a cost of Rs 206 crore without inviting tenders. Furthermore, all the purchases were ordered in a hurried manner, on a single day, February 13, through 24 Government Resolutions -- which was a record of sorts in the state administration.
The PIL alleged that as per rules, any purchase of items above Rs 3 lakhs has to be done through e-tendering. "The government has also banned purchases through the rate contract system in which material is purchased after negotiations on the rates," it said.
Maha Sadan scam: Governor accepts Deshpande's resignation
Governor C Vidyasagar Rao has accepted the resignation of Information Commissioner of Aurangabad division DB Deshpande, who was booked by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau for his alleged involvement in the Maharashtra Sadan scam.
"The Governor has accepted the resignation of DB Deshpande," a Raj Bhavan official said. He had submitted his resignation to the Governor on June 23. On June 11, the ACB had filed an FIR against Chhagan Bhujbal and 16 others, including Deshpande, in connection with the scam that relates to awarding of contract for construction of a new building of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.