More trouble is headed towards state Education and Minorities Affairs minister Vinod Tawde. Maharashtra government has ordered a departmental inquiry against Tawde's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Dr Charudutt Shinde and desk officer Shashikant Salunkhe on charges of corruption.
Dr Shinde and desk officer Salunkhe were allegedly involved in manipulating names of contractors and giving work orders in lieu of cash in the Minorities department. Salunkhe has been already suspended. DNA had run a series of stories about Shinde and Salunkhe's alleged wrong-doings.
"Prima facie, it has been revealed that irregularities did take place while issuing Government Resolutions (GR). The GR was issued without the Secretary's permission. We will soon appoint an officer for an in-depth departmental inquiry," said Shyam Tagade, Principal Secretary, Minorities department, adding "and based on the report, we will take action against the guilty."
When asked whether Shinde role in the scam -- he allegedly asked Salunkhe to make the changes -- would be investigated, Tagade said, "Everyone connected to the scam will be probed."
If Salunkhe is found guilty, he will be permanently suspended; action against Dr Shinde will also be initiated as per the rule book.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "There cannot be two laws -- one for the officer and another for the minister's OSD. "The desk officer was working on the instructions of the OSD, who was collecting bribe on behalf of minister Tawde."
He further added that several fraud cases – such as the issuance of the bogus medical and physically handicapped certificates — were filed against Dr Shinde when he was the district surgeon in Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College and Hospital at Dhule.
"BJP MLA Anil Gote from Dhule himself had complained against Shinde," said Malik, adding, "An FIR has been also lodged against Dr Shinde in Dhule city police station. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should immediately sack Tawde and suspend Dr Shinde."
