AMN
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) today gave clean chit to the Maharashtra Minister of Women and Child Development Pankaja Munde, in alleged Chikki scam. The ACB has also closed all corruption cases related to e-tendering and other allegations against the minister and sent a report of the same to the State Home Department.
Ms Munde was charged with violating the rules and awarding contracts worth 24 crore rupees in just one day for purchasing ‘Chikkis’ (Peanut-jaggery sweet) for Anganwadi school children. However, the ACB has clarified that since there are no rules regarding the number of contracts to be awarded in a single day, it is the discretion of the minister concerned as to how many contracts he/she or the ministry and department awards in one day.
The Minister was also charged with not inviting e-tenders for giving contracts to buy Chikkis, the ACB said since the selection of the contractors was done from the listed contractors, inviting e-tenders is not mandatory.
Regarding procuring excess essentials for Anganwadis, ACB clarified that there are lakhs of anganwadi schools in state and this could be needed. As for the quality of the material purchased being comprised upon, the Bureau said the Women and Child Development Department has already initiated action against the guilty.