Pankaja Munde denies allegations of irregularities in dam contract, says didn't favour anyone

Mumbai: Dismissing allegations of irregularities in awarding contract to building dam, Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde said that she did not favour any contractor. The BJP MLA who returned from abroad on Monday night found herself in yet another controversy.

Rural Development and Water Conservation Minister Munde said, "I did not favour any contractor. Ratnakar Gutte is from the NCP, he is known equally to all parties. I did not intervene on his behalf to award contracts for building check dams in Jalna. The allegations are baseless."

In another charge of irregularity against Munde, she has been accused of awarding a contract to build dam to a private company without tender.

Munde had allegedly approved a contract to a company headed by industrialist Ratnakar Gutte to build dams in jalna district. The move has come under scrutiny because though the company was the lowest bidder in the e-tendering, it was disqualified under a technicality.

Munde's supporters have alleged a witch-hunt by the opposition against her.

Upping the ante, the Maharashtra unit of Congress are protesting against Munde and Education Minister Vinod Tawde over allegations of irregularities. Congress leader Sachin Sawant said, "CM Fadnavis is giving clean chit to his ministers without verifying. I have submitted fresh evidence on resolutions issued by Pankaja Munde. I have submitted fresh evidence on money trail, diversion of funds. I'm unhappy with attitude of ACB and we demand an open inquiry."

The charges surfaced even as she is being held accused in the Rs-206 crore chikki scam. During her tenure as Maharashtra women and child development minister, Munde had allegedly cleared purchase of chikki, mats and books for Rs 206 crore without floating tenders for the same. According to rules, any government purchase above Rs 3 lakh has to be done through e-tendering.

Munde had reportedly cleared 24 government resolutions on the same day.

Meanwhile, troubles have mounted for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as Education Minister Vinod Tawde is accused of alleged irregularities in government contracts worth Rs 191 crore.