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Earlier this week, the enforcement directorate conducted searches on three premises in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, two in Pune and one in Akola, as part of a money laundering case registered against a group of builders who were awarded a tender worth Rs4,600 crore for constructing houses under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY).
The case is based on an FIR filed at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police station on February 23. It is alleged that the municipal corporation had invited tenders for the construction of houses under PMAY last year, and three companies named in the FIR had formed a cartel to secure the contract. All three companies submitted their bids from the same computer IP address, and one of them was ultimately awarded the contract. The ED said in a statement that the companies had engaged in money laundering activities.
The municipal corporation had included a condition in the tender, stating that once a bidder was awarded a contract for the Affordable Housing Project under PMAY, they would be given the contract for similar work in new premises within the municipal corporation limits on the same terms and conditions, rather than a new tender being issued.
During the day, the ED team summoned a Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar deputy municipal commissioner to remain present at the ED office in Mumbai and cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The team also handed over a list of documents it required for the investigation to the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar municipal corporation.
Municipal administrator Abhijeet Choudhary, who is currently in Pune, confirmed that an officer from the ED had contacted them seeking a list of documents related to the PMAY tender. Choudhary said he had asked the officer to hand over the documents immediately. The deputy who filed the FIR on the directives of Choudhary on February 23 is also the complainant in the case. Sanjay Kenekar, BJP state secretary, said he had made written representations and complaints against the builders.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in the tendering process for government contracts. It is crucial to ensure that tenders are awarded to companies that are truly qualified and able to complete the work, rather than those who engage in corrupt activities to secure the contract. It is also important for government agencies to monitor the activities of companies awarded contracts to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations and not engaging in any illegal activities. The enforcement directorate's investigation is a step towards ensuring that justice is served and those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.
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