3 months on, CID probe not yet over
Relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam on Monday informed the Legislative Council that a CID investigation has been initiated into the alleged fodder scam in the state. The Opposition has alleged that political workers from ruling parties had usurped tonnes of fodder meant for cattle in the drought-hit Ahmednagar district.
Opposition leader Vinod Tawde had asked a question regarding the action taken against those found to be involved in the alleged fodder scam. He also reminded the minister about his assurance given on the floor of the House in winter Assembly session that the CID would investigate the allegations.
In his reply, Mr Kadam said, “The CID inquiry has been initiated as per the assurance given in the winter session. The investigations are still incomplete and therefore there is no question of taking any action against anybody.”
The Maharashtra government had introduced a scheme to provide relief to the drought-hit regions of Sangli, Satara, Nashik, Ahmednagar and Osman-abad. Nearly 366 fodder depots were set up as part of the relief measures. Fodder was made available for cattle at 75 per cent subsidised rates at these depots. After the government spent almost `220 crore on these camps, CM Prithviraj Chavan had ordered closure of these depots because of
complaints of irregularities. The allegations included unreasonable margins demanded by the contractors, inadequate supply of the cattle feed and fake entries of both, the cattle number and the feed.
State home minister R.R. Patil had assured that the investigation report would be submitted within 15 days. However, Mr Kadam’s reply in the Legislative Council made it clear that the investigation is on even after three months.
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