Did not orchestrate scam, being targeted: Pankaja Munde

Maharashtra's minister for Rural Development, Women & Child Development, Pankaja Munde and her Women and Child Development department went on the defensive in the Rs 106 crore mobile scam revealed by the DNA, saying additional accessories increased the cost of smartphones purchased by the department.

DNA had reported on Thursday about how an e-tender for acquiring smartphones worth Rs 106 crore were rigged. Pankaja had approved the purchase of 1.02 lakh Panasonic Eluga 17 smartphones. Each unit of the smartphone was priced at Rs 7,999 against the market price of Rs 5,400.

Pankaja said, "I am being deliberately targeted by one person for the past four-and-a-half years. The allegations in the mobile purchase case are baseless. I have not orchestrated a mobile scam. The purchase was made as per the requisite procedure. My department has given clarifications."

The state Women and Child Development department, in its clarification, said that it had bought accessories such as screen protectors, 32 GB data cards, dustproof pouches which added to the cost of the mobile. "The five per cent additional purchase of mobiles was made as per the order of the state and central government. And the tender was given to the lowest bidder. It is wrong to term it as a mobile scam," it said in a statement.

However, Leader of Opposition and NCP MLC Dhananjay Munde said that the department is giving flimsy reasons to substantiate their inflated purchase order. "We had demanded a judicial probe of this purchase order. If everything is right and fine, then let it be established through an inquiry. Why don't they set up an inquiry?," said Dhananjay. "Micromax was ready to supply smartphones with the same configurations at a rate lower by 60 per cent. Yet the department bought the costly phones," Dhananjay added.

Oppn questions Min over SC striking down contract

Minister Pankaja Munde's troubles increased as the opposition targeted her over the Supreme Court striking down her department's Rs 6,300-crore food contract, owing to several violations. The state Women and Child Development department's contract pertained to take-home rations for Anganwadi children across the state. "What is her comment on the SC striking down her department's contract? The court has also accepted that the BJP minister violated contract procedures," NCP leader Dhananjay Munde said. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant demanded Pankaja's resignation. "CM Devendra Fadnavis should sack his corrupt minister. Pankaja Munde is a regular offender now," said Sawant. Pankaja was not available for comment.