Pankaja Munde dismisses corruption charges, claims conspiracy

Aurangabad: Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde, who is currently battling corruption charges, on Saturday claimed that the allegations against her are a conspiracy.

'I have said whatever I wanted to say in the press conference few days ago. At that press conference I came with evidence. This is a conspiracy against me. The public knows who I really am,' she said.

According to reports, all government procurements over Rs three lakh are to be made through e-tenders. However, the Maharashtra Women and Children Development Ministry cleared the overcharged purchase orders for anganwadi schools without inviting tenders.

However, Pankaja has denied the corruption charges leveled at her, saying that the funds released by the Centre would have lapsed if there had been further delay in ordering purchase of good for the department.

The incident came to light after the Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad president wrote to Munde, complaining about the quality of food (chikki) distributed to tribal students under the Integrated Child Development Services.