CID should probe Rs 297 crore drug purchase scam : Munde

Maharashtra: NCP MLC and leader of Opposition, Legislative Council, Dhananjay Mund has asked for a CID probe into the Rs 297 Cr. worth drug purchase scam. He highlighted that probe would result in real scamsters being traced instead of junior officials being investigated, who aren't even involved.

In response to a DNA report published on Monday, Munde has sought inclusion of IAS officers of the concerned department (Public health and National Health Mission) to be brought under the purview of the probe.

"Since only junior officers have been suspended and not the secretaries, it suggests that the government seeks to save them," he alleged.

Calling the Fadnavis-led government’s attempt to allegedly hush up the report as contempt of House, the opposition leader stated, "The government had told both Houses that the probe would be completed in a month. But now it is dilly-dallying the matter, which is contempt of the House."

Munde, in order to justify his allegation of a drug scam has presented documents related to 591 purchase orders, all made on March 31, 2015 to the government. He claims that large quantities of iodine bottles, diabetes medicines etc were being purchased, without any requirement on the part of the municipal corporations. He has also written to the Health Department, seeking help in hiring godowns to store the bulk consignments delivered to them.

Munde alleges that top health officials had connived with drug suppliers and placed medicinal orders without any actual requirement on the part of the corporations.

Regarding the 50 crore bribe distribution amongst officers involved in the scam, he has asked for government intervention and investigation of all officers involved, under the Anti Corruption Act. He reiterates saying medicine purchase was a big racket.

On April 12, the government had suspended the following: Health Director, Dr Satish Pawar, National Health Mission (Maha), Assistant Director, Dr Raju Johewar and deputy Health Director, Dr Sachin Desai in the same case.

In a report on Monday, DNA stated that the probe head, Dr Bhagwan Sahai, had submitted his report to Health Minister, Dr Deepak Sawant on June 4. However, Sawant has denied the same.