New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday accused Union minister Smriti Irani of “fraud and bungling” in MPLADs funds in Gujarat while citing a CAG report and demanded her immediate sacking from the Narendra Modi government and lodging of a case against her.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Shaktisinh Gohil claimed the CAG has said that she has made payment of Rs 5.93 crore from MPLAD funds without tender, including fraudulent payment of Rs 84.53 lakh.
No immediate comment was available from Ms Irani or her office on the charges.
“There is major bungling, fraud and misuse of public funds allocated under MPLAD scheme to Union minister Smriti Irani and she stands exposed by the CAG Report number 4 of 2018,” Mr Surjewala alleged.
“Time has come to sack Union minister Smriti Irani and lodge an FIR against her for proper investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and different provisions of Indian Penal Code,” he demanded.
Mr Gohil claimed even the collector of Anand district had written a letter on June 20, 2017 to the Deputy Secretary, General Administration Department, Gujarat pointing out the irregularities and the fraud being committed under the grants received under MPLAD.
The CAG report on the general and social sector for the year ended March 2017, has charged Ms Irani with “injudicious awarding of works under MPLADS to an NGO without inviting tenders resulted in irregular payment of Rs 5.93 crore including fraudulent payment of Rs 84.53 lakh to the NGO”.
