Raincoat scam: Vishnu Savara stands firm

Despite pressure from the Opposition to set up an inquiry into the alleged corruption in procuring raincoats for tribal students, Vishnu Savara, the minister concerned, turned down the demand.

Even as senior Congress-NCP leaders attacked tribal minister Mr Savara, none of his friends from the BJP stood up for him. During a calling attention motion, NCP MLA Hasan Mushrif alleged tribal students had not received raincoats they were entitled to, though the academic year had already started.

Mr Mushrif said the process should have been carried out by e-tendering but it did not happen and, finally, the court was compelled to step in and stay the procurement process. The raincoat purchasing process was stayed as it was not done as per the norms.

“Why did the officials who delayed the process not go in for e-tendering,” Mr Mushrif demanded to know. The MLA also said procurement rights of up to '3 lakh were given to school principals, notwithstanding that their purchase entitlement was only up to '50,000.

Mr Savara said a departmental inquiry had been initiated to look into the issue. Not satisfied with the reply, another NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil asked him if he had sought permission from the Cabinet while giving more rights to the principals.

When asked why the e-tendering process was cancelled, Mr Savara said it would have delayed the procurement.

Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil alleged that companies that had come forward for raincoat procurement were all bogus. The entire process is suspicious and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe should be initiated. “Even the chief minister has expressed his reservations about the process and, hence, an inquiry should be conducted through the SIT or ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau),” he said.

NCP leader Jayant Patil further alleged that a few departments had actually bypassed the chief minister’s instructions regarding e-tendering and purchasing of various items and demanded an inquiry.