The Maharashtra government is doubtful over former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar's decision to allocate Rs 300 crore to the Sathe Corporation last year.
Mumbai, Maharashtra:
Questioning the role of Nationalist Congress Party leader (NCP), Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra government has handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), documents relating to the alleged multi-crore scam in the state-run Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation.
According to minister of state for social justice, Dilip Kamble, the documents were handed over to the ED last Tuesday, and that the government was "doubtful" over Mr Pawar's decision to allocate Rs 300 crore to the Sathe Corporation three months before the assembly elections last year.
"Why only Sathe Corporation was allocated Rs 300 crore and nothing to other backward corporations? Was Ajit Pawar aware about misuse of corporation funds?" Kamble asked.
Mr Pawar, the then deputy chief minister and finance minister during the Congress-NCP government, had approved Rs 300 crore- grant to the Corporation in June-July 2014. The state had also allowed a guarantee of Rs 60 crore to loans that would be distributed by the Corporation.
"We have handed over the documents to ED as we have to find out the cash flow, transactions with various accounts, purchase of 40 luxury cars and the distribution of cash in Assembly constituencies where NCP had contested the polls last year," Mr Kamble said.
However, Mr Pawar has claimed that he did not take the decision of allocating funds to the corporation on his own and that it was the state cabinet's decision.
"The truth will be out once the inquiry is done. We had given money to all the backward corporations. It is all on record. Ajit Pawar did not take decision. It was the state Cabinet which did... Once money has been allocated, it is up to the Corporation to spend the funds. Once an inquiry is done, the truth will be for all to see," he said.
According to the minister, there is a possibility of money laundering in foreign countries in this case, and if the state gets clues, it may ask the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe it. The matter is being currently probed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Though the government has no evidence against Mr Pawar, but if his involvement is found then strong action will be taken against him, said Mr Kamble.
According to minister of state for social justice, Dilip Kamble, the documents were handed over to the ED last Tuesday, and that the government was "doubtful" over Mr Pawar's decision to allocate Rs 300 crore to the Sathe Corporation three months before the assembly elections last year.
"Why only Sathe Corporation was allocated Rs 300 crore and nothing to other backward corporations? Was Ajit Pawar aware about misuse of corporation funds?" Kamble asked.
Mr Pawar, the then deputy chief minister and finance minister during the Congress-NCP government, had approved Rs 300 crore- grant to the Corporation in June-July 2014. The state had also allowed a guarantee of Rs 60 crore to loans that would be distributed by the Corporation.
"We have handed over the documents to ED as we have to find out the cash flow, transactions with various accounts, purchase of 40 luxury cars and the distribution of cash in Assembly constituencies where NCP had contested the polls last year," Mr Kamble said.
However, Mr Pawar has claimed that he did not take the decision of allocating funds to the corporation on his own and that it was the state cabinet's decision.
"The truth will be out once the inquiry is done. We had given money to all the backward corporations. It is all on record. Ajit Pawar did not take decision. It was the state Cabinet which did... Once money has been allocated, it is up to the Corporation to spend the funds. Once an inquiry is done, the truth will be for all to see," he said.
According to the minister, there is a possibility of money laundering in foreign countries in this case, and if the state gets clues, it may ask the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe it. The matter is being currently probed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Though the government has no evidence against Mr Pawar, but if his involvement is found then strong action will be taken against him, said Mr Kamble.
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