Ahilyanagar – The case of a scam involving works worth lakhs on the basis of fake orders from the Ministry of Rural Development has created a stir across the state. Although cases were filed late after the uproar over this issue in the session, the pace of further investigation is very slow. Even after ten days, there has been no concrete evidence, identification or arrest of the accused, which has raised questions about the efficiency of the relevant agencies.
Approval of works worth crores on fake orders
In Nagar, Shrigonda and Nevasa talukas, a contractor used fake orders from the Ministry of Rural Development to obtain approval for development works worth crores. The special thing is that the Public Works Department started implementing these orders directly without verifying them. The tender process was completed, the bills were prepared and the related works were also started. When these bills were sent to the ministry, the entire case was exposed.
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The scam that was noticed in April was suppressed
This fake order came to the notice of the ministry in April. After that, clear orders were given to the concerned officials to take action. However, the local Public Works Department covered up the entire matter for three months. Neither a case was registered, nor were any questions raised against any officials.
The opposition strongly highlighted the fake order scam during the monsoon session, forcing the Public Works Department to take action under mounting pressure. As a result, two separate FIRs were registered—one at Kotwali police station and another at Bhingar Camp. However, even after filing the cases, the accused contractor remains untraceable. So far, the investigation appears to be confined to paperwork, with no real progress on the ground.
Only the contractor is guilty, but no one in the administration is responsible?
The complaint of the Electricity Department states that the contractor is ‘unknown’, and the person who submitted the fake order and got the work has been blamed. However, there is no mention anywhere of who the official who actually started the work on these orders, signed it or gave financial approval. Therefore, there is a suspicion that there has been an attempt to cover up the responsibility in the administration.
Delay in investigation deepens suspicion
The failure to file a complaint immediately despite knowing about this scam four months ago, the lax work of the police and the lack of action against the guilty officials – all this gives the impression of administrative carelessness on this entire matter. The picture is currently emerging that there is an attempt to hold only the contractor guilty in the fake order case and let others go.
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