Maha sadan scam: Two PWD officers under probe continue to hold important posts
Two senior PWD officers, under the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) scanner for their alleged involvement in the Maharashtra Sadan case involving former PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal, continue to hold important government posts. A V Deodhar and S S Solanki were summoned by the ACB for interrogation on March 11. Deodhar worked in the PWD when the files regarding the Maharashtra Sadan were being processed. He was later promoted to the post of chief engineer in Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and retired in January this year. However, he was immediately appointed as the technical advisor in the same organisation and continues his duties till date.
Former chief secretary V Ranganathan said, “Whenever an employee is under probe or interrogation, the employee is suspended or removed if the allegations are serious.” Solanki, who is reportedly close to Bhujbal, works as the executive engineer with PWD for special projects. He is also the deputy secretary in Mantralaya and looks after privatisation of roads.
A senior ACB officer said they are interrogating other officers and politicians involved in the case. Deodhar and Solanki had confirmed that they appeared for the interrogation. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, “The project was cleared by Slum Rehabilitation Authority when I was not a minister. The contractor has not been given any land or money. My officers were only implementing the project which was cleared by SRA.”
A private contractor, K S Chamankar, was given the contract to construct the new Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi. It has been alleged that the contractor got Rs 150 crore, while the project cost was fixed at Rs 50 crore. So far, the ACB has quizzed Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer Bhujbal and his son Pankaj Bhujbal in the scam along with some officers of PWD.
Former chief secretary V Ranganathan said, “Whenever an employee is under probe or interrogation, the employee is suspended or removed if the allegations are serious.” Solanki, who is reportedly close to Bhujbal, works as the executive engineer with PWD for special projects. He is also the deputy secretary in Mantralaya and looks after privatisation of roads.
A senior ACB officer said they are interrogating other officers and politicians involved in the case. Deodhar and Solanki had confirmed that they appeared for the interrogation. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said, “The project was cleared by Slum Rehabilitation Authority when I was not a minister. The contractor has not been given any land or money. My officers were only implementing the project which was cleared by SRA.”
What is the Maharashtra sadan scam?
A private contractor, K S Chamankar, was given the contract to construct the new Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi. It has been alleged that the contractor got Rs 150 crore, while the project cost was fixed at Rs 50 crore. So far, the ACB has quizzed Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer Bhujbal and his son Pankaj Bhujbal in the scam along with some officers of PWD.
