NETAS UNDER SCANNER:Ajit Pawar & Sunil Tatkare are under investigation for massive cost escalation and occupation in Kondhane, Kalu and Balganga irrigation projects.
Chhagan Bhujbal, Pankaj and Samir Bhujbal – offence registered by a CB in the m aharashtra Sadan case.
Ramesh Kadam was arrested by CID for involvement in a Rs.300 crore corruption case.
CAN YOU BELIEVE?
For the project Balganga dam at Pen Taluka, Raigad, the initial cost estimated by CIDCO was Rs.353.9 crore, contract was awarded in 2009 for Rs.414 crore and cost revised within six months to Rs.1,600 crore
In the closely-watched proceedings of the a CB since CM Devendra Fadnavis gave his nod for the open inquiry, many eyebrows had been raised, when Pawar Jr. and Tatkare were exempted from appearing before the bureau. the a CB had sent a questionnaire to the duo to secure information on the Balganga, Kondhane and Kalu projects. the cost of Kondhane increased from Rs.56 crore to Rs.614 crore, that of the Kalu jumped from Rs. 382 crore to Rs.700 crore and of the Balganga from r s. 414 crore to Rs.1,600 crore
Following the ToI expose and an application filed by thane-based RTI activist Praveen Wategaonkar on 20th August, 2014, the a CB had sought permission for the open inquiry. It was sanctioned on 12th December, 2014
CORRUPTION IN DEFENCE DEALS:
Defence procurement corruption in India has been assessed to be “high”, with a large mass of its procurements shrouded in secrecy with low levels of accountability.
As per the Global Defence Anti-Corruption Index, India’s Military spending has increased by 147% in the last decade. Accessing the Indian experience, the Index said the Indian Army was found to be illegally running golf courses on government land while Air Force officials used defence land for unauthorised use, such as building of shopping malls and cinema halls. it also says that India’s Defence institutions have been found to be involved in exploitation of natural resources. Citing an example, the report said awards for contracts by Reflex, the paramilitary force in northeast i ndia, were essentially bought through personnel for kickbacks amounting to 35% of the tender cost.
GOVT. UNSPARING IN PUNISHING THE CORRUPT: PM MODI:
Asserting that his government is unsparing in punishing the corrupt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 45 senior officers have either been removed or faced pension cuts for “unsatisfactory performance and delivery in public service”. He said the focus of his government was on providing system-based and policy-driven governance.
“A governance structure is sensitive, transparent and accountable,” he said. Speaking at the Sixth Global Focal Point Conference on Asset Recovery, being hosted by the CBI, the Prime Minister said corruption is one of the “principle challenges” for governments across the world in transforming the lives of the poor and marginalised.
“We in India are currently in a crucial phase of nation building. Our mission is to build a prosperous India. An India where our farmers are capable, our workers satisfied, our women empowered and our youth self- reliant.”
“This is not an impossible mission. However, to achieve this objective, it is essential to fight relentlessly against corruption,” he said.
CORRUPTION-FREE’ DIWALI:
In an unprecedented development, Maharashtra was “corruption-free” at least for a week between 9th and 15th November. The anti-corruption bureau ( ACB) was unable to trap a single public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act during the period. By comparison, during the corresponding week in Diwali 2014, it had recorded nine cases. The joy was short-lived, though, for as soon as the new week began, on Monday and Tuesday, five public servants were caught red-handed while accepting bribes ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000.
