Oppn alleges large-scale corruption in drought relief

After bickering among themselves on the first day of the budget session, the opposition parties got their act together on Tuesday when they informed the state legislature of large-scale corruption in drought relief work in Ahmednagar district, among the worst-hit areas in the state.

After bickering among themselves on the first day of the budget session, the opposition parties got their act together on Tuesday when they informed the state legislature of large-scale corruption in drought relief work in Ahmednagar district, among the worst-hit areas in the state.

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The alleged irregularities include listing fake vehicle numbers for transporting fodder, allotting cattle camps to workers of ruling parties, and naming dead persons as beneficiaries. Ahmednagar has so far received a quarter — Rs 176 crore — of the Rs 684 crore allotted for drought relief.

Leader of opposition in the council Vinod Tawde produced a list of over 100 vehicle numbers, shown to have been used to transport fodder weighing hundreds of kilos, that actually belong to scooters, mopeds and trailers, with some even being non-existent. A list of 19 persons running state-aided cattle camps, who are workers of either the Congress or the NCP, was also submitted.

The government, on its part, maintained there is no irregularity. “It is their right to make allegations. But I can assure that there is no misappropriation,” said relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam who will be replying to the allegations on Wednesday.