Probe Maharashtra Sadan deal: Oppn

The Opposition disrupted proceedings of the state assembly on Monday over allegations of corruption and nepotism against public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

The Opposition disrupted proceedings of the state assembly on Monday over allegations of corruption and nepotism against public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal. The opposition parties demanded explanation from the minister and called for a proper inquiry into the alleged Maharashtra Sadan redevelopment scam. The parties stalled the House twice over the issue and relented only after securing an assurance that the matter would be debated.

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The row started after Bhujbal made a statement in reply to allegations made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Some BJP legislators and leaders have filed a criminal complaint against the minister. The minister has been accused of engineering a land barter deal in favour of a private firm, Chamankar Builders, which built Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, the High Mount guest house and transport offices and residential quarters in Mumbai. The builder secured the right to develop a part of land in Mumbai, which can be sold in the open market. Bhujbal is also accused of securing sub-contracts in the Maharashtra Sadan project for companies run by his kin.

Bhujbal stoutly refuted the corruption charges saying that the deal and the work orders were finalised by the state government. He clarified that sub-contracting work [to his family firm] was at the sole discretion of the builder. The minister said he was ready to face any inquiry. Significantly, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has also given a clean chit to Bhujbal.

Outgoing President Pratibha Patil was to inaugurate Maharashtra Sadan last Saturday, but chose to skip the event in view of the fresh controversy.

Bhujbals parked kickbacks in construction FIRM, alleges Somaiya

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya kept up his attack on public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday, alleging that the minister used a company owned by his son and nephew to park kickbacks received in the Maharashtra Sadan redevelopment project.

Somaiya claimed that Parvesh Construction Pvt. Ltd. is a company of the Bhujbal Group owned by his son Pankaj, nephew Sameer Bhujbal and son-in-law Jitendra Wagh. He claimed that as per the audited accounts, shares of the company valued at Rs100 each were brought by 31 companies for a value of Rs10,000 per share. Between 2008 and 2011, these companies purchased around 1 lakh shares of Parvesh Construction, Somaiya said.

“These receipts from 31 companies are kickbacks received by the Bhujbal family for giving the Maharashtra Sadan contract,” Somaiya said.

Somaiya also alleged that many of the 31 companies had false addresses and were not traceable. The Bhujbal family insisted that there were no irregularities. “All investors are genuine, independent entities. The allegations are baseless,” said Sameer Bhujbal, NCP MP and owner of Pravesh Construction. - HTC