Shinde-Fadnavis govt demands an investigation into the alleged scam in the purchase of rapid response vehicles by Relief & Rehabilitation Department

The State Relief and Rehabilitation Department, led by former Congress minister Vijay Wadettiwar, allegedly purchased Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) dubbed Devdoot Response Force during the coronavirus pandemic at a steep discount. This was announced by the Shinde Fadnavis administration on Wednesday. Following rumours of the purchase of 18 RRVs at a higher cost of Rs 3 crore (inclusive of maintenance and other expenses) than Rs 25 to 30 lakh each, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement.

 

The department of relief and rehabilitation put out a tender for the procurement of 18 RRVs for Rs 54 crore. The purchase had been contested by the finance department due to several issues with the tender. The government countered that the coronavirus pandemic makes the purchase an exceptional circumstance where it is permitted.

 

The RRVs have to be given to 16 Municipal Corporations as well as the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force, according to a letter from Wadettiwar dated July 4, 2020. The recommendation to address the emergency situation had been urgently requested by the minister by the department secretary. The state finance department, however, argued that given the austerity measures advised taking into account the current financial constraints brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, there was no need to spend Rs 54 crore in the 2020–21 fiscal year on the acquisition of RRVs.

 

The 18 RRVs were nonetheless bought despite these criticisms. Sudhir Mungantiwar, the minister of forests, urged the special inquiry team to look into it. Wadettiwar, however, refuted these accusations and asserted that the RRVs were bought at the same price as those paid by the Congress NCP administration in 2014. He stated that the rising GST was to blame for the price increases.

 

 

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