CVC Orders Probe Into ₹1,500 Crore Maharashtra Tender Scam In Social Justice Department
• From Complaint to Action: The Timeline of the CVC’s Investigation
• The ED Links and Overruled Instructions
• The Call for Strict Action Against Involved
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has ordered a probe into a ₹1,500 crore tender scam in Maharashtra’s Social Justice Department. A Sprouts SIT investigation uncovered cartelization, identical bids by three firms, and transparency violations in outsourcing contracts. The CVC has forwarded the case to Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar for urgent action, signaling strict accountability ahead.
- CVC Orders Probe Into ₹1,500 Crore Maharashtra Tender Scam In Social Justice Department
- • From Complaint to Action: The Timeline of the CVC’s Investigation
- • The ED Links and Overruled Instructions
- • The Call for Strict Action Against Involved
- Political Interference and ED Connections in Tender Allocation
- Systematic Rule Violations and Financial Irregularities Uncovered
- Officer Involvement and Demand for Stringent Action
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has directed an immediate investigation into alleged massive irregularities in a ₹1,500-1,700 crore outsourcing tender floated by Maharashtra’s Social Justice and Special Assistance Department. According to an exclusive investigation by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT), the tender process shows clear evidence of cartelization, rule violations, and political interference in awarding contracts for mechanized housekeeping services across state institutions. The CVC has forwarded the complaint to Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar for urgent action, confirming the seriousness of the allegations.
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Political Interference and ED Connections in Tender Allocation
Despite clear instructions from then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to exclude ‘SMART Services’ (formerly Brisc India) due to an ongoing ED investigation, the Social Justice Department under Minister Sanjay Shirshath showed unusual favoritism toward the company. The Sprouts News Investigation Team found that among ten competing companies, only three—SMART Services, BVG India, and Crystal Integrated Services—were mysteriously declared qualified. All three companies quoted identical rates of 19.50%, indicating possible cartelization and bid manipulation in the tender process that demands thorough investigation.
Also Read: Edelweiss Pays ₹61.42 Lakh Fine to SEBI Over AIF Breaches.
Systematic Rule Violations and Financial Irregularities Uncovered
The tender document itself violated CVC transparency rules by failing to mention essential details like required manpower, estimated costs, or cleanliness area measurements. Shockingly, the contract included an 18% service charge, massively exceeding CVC’s prescribed ceiling of 3.75% to 7%, causing significant losses to the state exchequer. Furthermore, the five-year contract with annual 5% escalation and three-year extension provision directly contravenes CVC guidelines, raising questions about the department’s intentions behind such favorable terms for selected contractors.
Officer Involvement and Demand for Stringent Action
The complaint names several senior IAS officers including current Commissioner Deepa Mudhol Munde and additional charge-holder Babasaheb Beldar, whose signatures appear on work order documents. Former Commissioner Omprakash Bakoria had also faced similar complaints earlier. Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi of Sprouts News has demanded a comprehensive investigation into all rule violations, examination of SMART Services-Brisc India connections, and strict disciplinary and legal action against involved officers and contractors to restore accountability in public spending.
