NCP man claims corruption in bureaucracy

While corruption allegations against several ministers in the state Cabinet are already flying thick and fast, NCP legislator Kiran Pawaskar has alleged that there is large-scale corruption in the bureaucracy and MLAs’ local area development funds as well.

“In the last six months, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has caught 475 government employees, mostly from the revenue and police departments, while accepting bribes. Most of them are from Nagpur, the chief minister’s own constituency,” said Mr Pawaskar.

Talking about corruption in MLA local area distribution funds, the NCP legislator said that while MLAs and MLCs get Rs 2 crore, MPs get Rs 5 crore as development funds. However, about 50 per cent of money from the fund goes into corruption, he alleged. “In the utilisation of these development funds, about 32 per cent goes in profits and taxes. Out of the remaining 65 to 75 per cent, the contractor carries out only 50 per cent of the work,” said Mr Pawaskar.

While asserting his zero tolerance approach towards corruption, CM Devendra Fadnavis had said that he would not allow anyone from his Cabinet to indulge in corruption. Even then, the state is turning a blind eye to corruption, said the NCP legislator.

Mr Pawaskar dared the CM to take action against him if the evidence submitted by him were false.