Inside the Khichdi Scam: Exploring the Rs 6.37 Crore Misfortune

The Khichdi Scam is an instance of supposed financial misappropriation in the conveyance of khichdi, a rice and lentil dish, to transient workers during the Coronavirus pandemic by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The scam includes Shiv Sena (UBT) pioneer Sanjay Raut’s nearby assistant Sujit Patkar and six others, who are blamed for illicitly getting work orders, sub-contracting them to other people, and charging GST on them. The scam has made a deficiency of Rs 6.37 crore the BMC and has brought up issues about the job of a few political pioneers and BMC officials regarding this situation.

How the scam was uncovered

The scam became exposed after BJP’s previous MP Kirit Somaiya mentioned criticisms over the BMC’s spending on khichdi during the pandemic. He asserted that the BMC had spent Rs 6.37 crore on khichdi for 1.5 lakh transient workers, which added up to Rs 425 for each plate. He likewise claimed that Patkar, who is a companion of Raut, had gotten work orders worth Rs 2.53 crore with no delicate cycle and had sub-contracted them to different caterers at lower rates.

Somaiya documented a grievance with the Mumbai police’s Economic Offenses Wing (EOW), which started a preliminary enquiry into the charges on August 7, 2023. The EOW recorded explanations of a few people, including Patkar, Sunil false name Bala Kadam, Rajeev Salunkhe, Suraj Chavan, and some BMC officials. Chavan is a Yuva Sena functionary and a nearby helper of Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray.

What the EOW found

The EOW found that Patkar had gotten work orders from BMC for providing khichdi to transient workers at different areas in Mumbai from April to June 2020. He had shaped two organizations, Force One Multi Services and Sneha Caterers, for this reason. Be that as it may, he didn’t have the limit or foundation to plan or convey khichdi on such a huge scope. He sub-gotten the work requests to different caterers, like Sahyadri Refreshments, at lower rates and stashed the distinction. He likewise charged GST on the work orders, which was not material for such services.

The EOW additionally found that Patkar had utilized his political associations with impact the BMC officials to grant him the work orders with next to no delicate interaction or confirmation. He had supposedly submitted manufactured archives and authentications to show his qualification and experience. He had additionally utilized his connections with Raut and Chavan to keep away from any examination or activity from the BMC.

What are the charges and captures

The EOW enlisted a FIR against Patkar and six others on September 2, 2023 at the Agripada police headquarters under areas 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public worker), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 34 (normal aim) and 120-B (criminal connivance) of the Indian Punitive Code. Patkar was at that point in legal authority regarding one more scam connected with Coronavirus large focuses, for which he was captured by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2023. Kadam and Salunkhe were additionally captured by EOW before regarding a similar scam and were subsequently conceded bail by the court.

The EOW has not named Raut or Chavan as denounced in the FIR, however has said that they will be questioned whenever expected during the examination. The EOW has likewise said that it will probe the job of other BMC officials who were associated with granting or endorsing the work requests to Patkar.

What are the responses and suggestions

The Khichdi Scam has started a political debate in Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena is essential for the decision alliance alongside NCP and Congress. The BJP has blamed Shiv Sena for corruption and nepotism and has requested a CBI probe into the scam. The BJP has additionally questioned Aaditya Thackeray’s contribution in the scam and has requested that he leave his post as environment minister.

Shiv Sena has shielded its chiefs and has guaranteed that they play no part in the scam. Shiv Sena has additionally blamed BJP for attempting to censure its picture and make obstacles in its relief work during the pandemic. Shiv Sena has said that it will help out the EOW examination and will make a move against anyone viewed as blameworthy.

The Khichdi Scam has likewise uncovered the predicament of traveler workers who were left abandoned and hungry during the lockdown forced because of Coronavirus. The scam feels a little unsure about the quality and amount of food that was given to them by the BMC and the project workers. The scam has likewise featured the requirement for transparency and accountability in the public spending and procurement during such crises.