Akola CEO talks of Patil's tender threat

Mumbai: Minister for state, Mr Ranjit Patil was caught in a controversy after the additional CEO of Akola wrote a letter to the rural development department, complaining against him. Subhash Pawar, the additional CEO wrote to principal secretary of the rural development department claiming that Mr Patil had allegedly threatened to frame him in a false case as he had refused to listen to him in the tender process. The incident occurred on February 12 in Akola.

Mr Patil but could not get his reaction. The letter written by Dr Pawar and marked to the principal secretary of the rural development department on February 12, 2018 reads, “On February 12, 2018, I attended the Janata Darbar of guardian minister of Akola, Shri Ranjit Patil as representative of the CEO Akola. During the proceedings of the Janata Darbar, Mr Patil used unparliamentary and humiliating words for me.

He was forcing me regarding the tender of public work department (PWD) Akola. I told him that doing so would be illegal. But he humiliated and also threatened me, saying that 'I am home minister of state and I will see how to frame you in some matter.' Also Mr Patil asked me why I am serving in government?”

Citing this, Dr Pawar wrote that he had never faced such an incident ever his 35-year career. He also wrote that his service as a government employee is completely up to mark and he had never faced any action for any reason during the period. He has requested the principal secretary to allow him to opt for voluntary retirement as he is under tremendous psychological pressure. When contacted, Dr Pawar confirmed that he had written this letter, but refused to comment on it.

As this letter came out in the public domain on Wednesday, opposition parties aggressively demanded Mr Patil's immediate sacking. "This is shameful that such a senior officer has to write a letter because a minister has behaved in this way. The Chief Minister must take notice of this and immediately sack him," demanded Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "Mr Patil is known offender. There are serious cases of fraud against him. But CM Fadnavis has always saved him. We are demanding that now Mr Fadanvis should take action against him otherwise people will start believing that he also supports such behavior," he said.

Meanwhile Mr Patil was not available for comments. The Asian Age called his public relation officer but did not receive his reactions on the incident.