Slamming the BJP-led Maharashtra government over "corrupt" practises allegedly adopted by certain Cabinet Ministers, Opposition NCP today demanded a probe against them by a sitting Bombay High Court Judge along with the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
NCP also said claimed that the price of tur dal being sold in ration shops for poor families is higher than the rate being quoted in open market.
"We have time and again submitted proofs on the floor of the House regarding the corrupt practises of ministers. But no inquiry has been conducted. If our allegations are false, why has no action been taken against us? If true, why no inquiry has been ordered?," said Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde of NCP.
He was speaking on a motion moved in the Upper House over allegations of corruption against certain ministers in the BJP-Shiv Sena government.
Munde sought to know how Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis can go about giving a clean chit to his "tainted" Cabinet colleagues without any inquiry against them.
"We haven't received replies to our RTI queries even after a year of filing them. The CM is following one motto, 'tum khaate raho hum clean chit dete rahenge' (you continue to indulge in graft and I will continue to give clean chit)," the NPC legislator said.
On the rising prices of pulses, Munde said, "The government is selling tur dal at Rs 120 per kg (through ration shops), while its rate in the open market is Rs 90 a kg. The Centre had capped the price at Rs 66. If you add a maximum of Rs 25 to processing charges, prices should not go over Rs 90. Where is the this extra money going?"
Raising the issue of alleged irregularities in purchase of raincoats for ashram school students by Tribal Development Department, Munde taunted Fadnavis, saying he should at least give the minister concerned, Vishnu Savara, a "clean chit" as he has done in case of other "tainted ministers".
Taking a dig at MoS for Housing Ravindra Waikar, Munde said while he had publicly claimed he holds no position in his family firms, Waikar, in his 2014 election affidavit stated he holds a director's post in one of them.
"If you can oust a senior minister like Eknath Khadse, why not remove a Sena minister? Do you not have the courage?" he asked the Chief Minister.
"I request you (the Chairman) to direct the government to probe all allegations of corruption. Did the government inquire in the past of the newly-inducted ministers? We demand that an inquiry into all the allegations against the ministers be done by a sitting HC judge along with ACB," he said.
Training his guns at Shiv Sena, the NCP leader said the
party is reaping the benefits of being in power and at the same time appears to oppose the BJP-led government.
"They think people are stupid and won't understand the game that is going on. They think they will continue to keep on indulging in corruption. But, remember, people will not forgive you for at least 20-25 years," he said.
Taking part in the debate, Narayan Rane (Congress) said the BJP "fooled" the people of the state by promising, ahead of the polls, to provide a transparent and corruption-free government.
The prevailing corruption in the Sena-BJP ruled BMC has had a debilitating impact on the life of the common man, the former Chief Minister said.
"This government is concerned about its own interests and not those of the common man," the Shiv Sainik-turned- Congressman said.
