City Congress chief Vikas Thakre sends letter to CM, demands high-level probe into multi-crore scam
Nagpur: Following lodging of FIR by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) alleging stationery scam, Sadar police arrested two of the four suppliers, who in connivance with some civic employees siphoned off Rs 67 lakh of public funds.
On Friday, the police picked-up Padmakar alias Kolba Sakole (55), a resident of Jaiprakash Nagar, and Atul Sakole (40), New Nandanvan. The total amount that was siphoned by the quartet is around Rs 67.08 lakh.
Sadar police produced the accused two before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) and sought remand (PCR) of the accused persons to probe whether any other person is involved in the scam. Also, police submitted that they have to seize the stamps and stationery allegedly prepared by the accused persons that was subsequently used to commit the scam. The Court remanded the accused to police custody till Monday.
Ruling Party, Oppn corner NMC Administration:
Meanwhile, the NMC Administration faced the heat from the Ruling Party as well as Opposition. Following BJP Corporator Vijay Zalke’s allegation of over Rs 1 crore scam in the Birth and Death Registration Department, the City Congress President and Nagpur West MLA Vikas Thakre shot a letter to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and demanded a high-level probe into the scam. He also demanded dissolution of the NMC. On the other hand, NCP Corporator Abha Pande demanded the Mayor to call a Special General Body Meeting to discuss the multi-crore corruption in the NMC.
Thakre further said that there is a possibility of Rs 100 crore scam in the supply of stationery to various departments of the NMC. He also demanded stern action against the officials and employees involved in the bogus contracts scam in different departments of the civic body.
The exposure of the bogus contracts scam united the Ruling Party and the Opposition and they have launched a scathing attack on administration. The Corporators have cornered the NMC administration over the scam.
