Activist Damania alleges Rs 88 cr scam in agriculture department under Dhananjay Munde

Mumbai, February 4 (PTI) — Activist Anjali Damania has alleged a massive ₹88 crore scam in Maharashtra’s agriculture department during the tenure of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde, who previously held the portfolio in the Mahayuti coalition government.

Addressing a press conference, Damania presented documents supporting her claims, accusing Munde of bypassing the Union government’s 2016 directive to implement Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for farmers. Instead of transferring funds directly to farmers’ bank accounts, the agriculture department reportedly procured farming equipment and fertilizers at highly inflated prices.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement​

Damania pointed out that a government resolution (GR) dated September 12, 2018, listed 62 components under the DBT scheme, with the provision that new components could only be added by the Chief Minister, while existing ones could only be removed with the approval of a committee comprising the chief secretary, finance secretary, and planning secretary.

However, on March 12, 2024, just before the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into effect, a fresh GR was issued, designating the agriculture commissioner as the controlling officer for agricultural input purchases. This raised concerns, as former agriculture commissioner Pravin Gedam flagged the decision as inappropriate on March 15, 2024.

Inflated Purchases and Overpricing​

Despite Gedam’s warning that DBT funds should be transferred directly to farmers instead of being used for procurement, Munde allegedly directed the Agriculture Department officials to proceed with the purchases. Damania claimed that:

• Nano Urea (500 ml bottle) was available for ₹92 in the market but was procured for ₹220 per bottle. A total of 19,68,408 bottles were bought.
• Nano DAP was priced at ₹269 per bottle but was procured for ₹590 per bottle.
• Battery Sprayers cost ₹2,496 per unit in the market but were purchased at ₹3,425.
• Other agricultural inputs, including metaldehyde and cotton bags, were also allegedly procured at inflated rates.

According to Damania, Munde sought approval from then Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on March 15, 2024, to issue tenders, which was subsequently granted. She also alleged that then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde wrongfully approved the removal of certain DBT-listed components.

Political Fallout and Government Response​

Dhananjay Munde, currently Maharashtra’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, has already been under scrutiny following the arrest of his close aide, Walmik Karad, in an extortion case linked to the murder of Beed district sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

Reacting to Damania’s claims, Shiv Sena leader and Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat assured that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would "certainly take notice" of the allegations and conduct an inquiry. However, he added that any decision regarding Munde’s resignation falls under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s purview.

As of now, Munde’s office has not issued a statement in response to the allegations.

Growing Demand for Resignation​

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have intensified their demand for Munde’s resignation, particularly after Damania’s recent allegations of his financial links to Karad. The controversy surrounding the Agriculture Department's alleged mismanagement adds to the mounting political pressure on the NCP leader.

With an inquiry likely on the horizon, the political storm surrounding Munde continues to escalate as opposition leaders demand accountability for the alleged financial irregularities.