Danve alleges major scam in solar power scheme; Fadnavis denies loss to state

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Former leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve on Monday reiterated his allegation that a nexus between govt officials, contractors and politicians led to a major scam in the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana. Danve cited sixFIRs registered at the Nirmal Nagar police station in Mumbai to allege large-scale irregularities in the solar agriculture feeder project implemented under the scheme that had allegedly caused a Rs 10,000 crore scam. He, however, did not give any supporting documents to substantiate the allegations regarding the Rs 10,000 crore scam.He said the FIRs stated that bank guarantees worth crores of rupees were allegedly fabricated, alleging that fake emails and forged documents, purportedly issued in the name of a nationalised bank, were used to mislead MSEDCL officials.Danve made the allegations earlier too, to which chief minister Devendra Fadnavis responded, saying no scam of Rs 10,000 crore had taken place and that govt did not suffer any financial loss. Fadnavis said, "Several firms were awarded work under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana with a deadline of 18 months, and action was initiated against those that failed to show progress. MSEDCL encashed bank guarantees of at least 20 firms with poor progress and recovered around Rs 40 crore. During verification, bank guarantees submitted by fivefirms were found to be fake, following which FIRs were lodged against them."Fadnavis maintained that since no electricity was generated under the projects, MSEDCL did not purchase power and, therefore, the state did not suffer any financial loss.