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Thursday, April 13, 2017

Pune Civic Polls; system admits mistakes, terms it "human errors"

In a shocking revelation, Returning Officer ( RO) of Pune civic polls has admitted that ballot units ( BU) were changed and mock poll was conducted one day before actual polling in absence of candidates or their representatives .In an explanation to this writer’s earlier post “EVMs may not be but system is vulnerable to fraud” and in a reply to candidate of ward no 33, the returning officer ( RO) has admitted many mistakes during election process , but has termed those as human errors. RO’s explanation has raised more doubts about election process that was conducted for Pune Municipal Corporation in February 2017.

As all the ballot units (BU) and control units ( CU) were sealed and kept in tight security (?) question of any change in it does not arise at all. However on actual polling day (21st February) when polling staff opened BUs serial no’s of BUs were different from those recorded and sealed on 2^nd randomization of EVMs i.e. 15th February. In polling station no 10,12,28, 49 and 50 BU numbers were P44052, P 43551, MO22334, P143888 & P14390 respectively .But on actual poling day those were P14992, P11947, MO23334, P 14386 & Mo 27617 respectively . If on voting day Ballot units are found faulty they can be changed after following proper procedure. Then how come and when these ballot units were changed?

In an answer to this question of candidate RO has categorically said that BUs were changed one day before polling day and on same day mock poll was conducted in absence of candidates or their representatives. In Marathi he has said उपरोक्त बदल हे दि २०/२/२०१७ रोजी मतदान केंद्राध्यक्ष यांनी मतदान केंद्रावर पोहचल्यानंतर रात्री उशीरा मॉकपोल बॅलेट युनिटमधील बटण मध्ये तांत्रिक अडचण उद्भवल्यामुळे झोनल अधिकारी यांचेकडे उपलब्ध करून दिलेल्या राखीव बॅलेट युनिटचा वापर करण्यात आला आहे . वेळेअभावी या बाबतची सुचना उमेदवार किंवा उमेदवार प्रतिनिधी यांना देण्यात आली नव्हती.

That means , Such changes were made because after arriving late night on 20/2/2017 on polling station, the technical difficulty was observed by presiding officer in a button of ballot unit and hence reserved BUs provided by zonal officer was used . Due to time constraint this was not communicated to candidate or their representatives.How come presiding officer goes to Polling station one day erlier of actual poll, changes the Bus and conduct mock poll in absence of candidates or their representatives?

Normally as per election procedure mock poll is conducted thrice. 1^st at first Randomization of ballot and control units in presence of representatives of political parties,2^nd at the time of second randomization and candidate setting in presence of candidates or their representative and 3^rd on actual polling day before polling starts. So question of mock poll on day before actual polling day doesn’t arise at all. The major question is, if such mock poll was conducted in all the civic poll constituencies or how?. If mock poll was conducted for all ballot units in Pune polls in absence of candidate then this is very serious matter.

Actually as per election procedure When the EVMs are taken out of the strong room for dispatch, they have to inform the date and time of opening of strong room in writing to the candidates or their representatives. In a communication to this writer RO has mentioned that all CU & BU were changed at the time of dispatch only so presiding officer has not mentioned the change in his diary.This is something ridiculous . Polling party is not supposed to touch any ballot unit button or take mock poll while taking possession of election material.

If any defect arises in the Ballot Unit (BU)or Control Unit (CU) of the EVM during poll process, it is mandatory to replace the entire set of EVM (both BU & CU) by new set of EVM (BU & CU).And presiding officer has to record the reasons of replacing CUs or BUs in his diary. In instant case presiding officer has not recorded any reason for changing BUs in his diary.

There are some other serious issues that RO has termed them as human error. In ward no 33 in around 21 polling stations sequence of BU was changed. on 15th February as per procedure EVMs were checked randomized , allotted polling station wise, sequence wise and sealed in presence of candidate or their representatives. Sequence of candidates was also set on the same day .Copies of serial no of polling station wise ballot units (Bu) , Control unit and sequence of candidates set were given to candidate.

As per rules Ballot Unit should be connected to control unit according sequence allotted to them only. Changing that sequence amounts to exchange of votes to another candidates. On upper right side of ballot unit there is slide switch that indicates sequence No of ballot unit . Polling staff wrote the sequence as they saw it on BU. Then how come sequence of ballot unit was changed and who changed it ?.This amounted to interchange of BUs. This has happen in 21 polling stations . This Number is very high. RO says this was human errors. If his version has to be admitted then Election commission has to admit that the staff on election duty was poorly trained or under educated.

In the upgraded model of the voting machines in case of change in sequence of ballot unit linking error appears on the display panel of the control unit. The linking error can be set right by interlinking the Ballot Units in the proper sequential order. Now election commission has to clarify whether EVM used in pune civic polls were of upgraded version or not and whether staff on election duty was poorly trained or under educated.

Election commission of India has clarified that in case of elections to Municipal bodies or Rural bodies like Panchayat Elections, the EVMs used do not belong to the Election Commission of India. Above local bodies elections come under the jurisdiction of State Election Commission/s (SECs), which procure their own machines and have their own handling system. ECI is not responsible for functioning of EVMs used by SECs in above elections. In my entire posts on election I have not blamed the EVMs but what about the system that handle the EVMs. Is that different in case of election commission of India?

Friday, January 27, 2017

RTI Katta on Pune - Maharashtra Real Estate Scams

Now a days thieves & dacoits don’t live in jungles or valley’s. They have established air-conditioned offices in cities. From there they run scams like selling proposed N-A Plots, Villa plots, farmhouses , affordable housing, double your money by investing in real estate etc. They appoint smart staff and agents. Most of the time staff and agents are get paid more than what they deserve and hence they don’t hesitate to deceive own relatives or acquaintances .

Most of the time instead of running away from government authorities these people make government authorities partners in scams. In all this , common people get suffered. So what is the remedy ? What to do if you got deceived. We will discuss all this on RTI ( Right to Information) Katta this Sunday. The RTI Katta is an informal platform to learn the use of RTI, the tool to fight causes that directly affect the citizens.Katta is held every Sunday.

Right to information Katta. Sunday 29 January 2017, Chittaranjan Vatika, Model colony, Shivajinagar, Pune Time .9.30 AM to 10.30 AM

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Full text of Former Inspector General S. M. Mushrif's report on Maharashtra Irrigation scam

Former Inspector general of police and then deputy commissioner S.M.Mushrif had submitted a detailed report on corruption in irrigation department of Maharashtra. He had also requested his department to ask the government to give permission for an open enquiry into the affairs of MKVDC so that many more irregularities can be exposed and offences can be registered against defaulting officers and office bearers of Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC).However, matter was discussed in assembly it was revealed that his report had gone missing and then Anti-Corruption Bureau ( ACB) once again procured it from Mr.Mushrif. However, till today no action has been taken on his report.

Photo courtsey cartoonistsatish.blogspot.com

Irrigation scam started in Shive Sena BJP alliance government ( 1995 -1999) . And continued in all successive governments. The report given by Mr. Mushrif throws light on modus operandi of irrigation scammers. He has clearly mentioned names of business tycoon Avinash Bhosale and p. venku reddy. Here is full text of Mr.mushrif's report

1)Pre-qualification of contractors.

This was just a ploy to reject the unwanted contractors. In fact, at the time of registration of contractors, their financial capability, technical manpower, machinery available (owned & hired), works of various types executed by them etc. are verified and on being fully satisfied on these counts, the contractors are registered.

Then there is another stage, viz. enrolment of contractors, wherein based on their previous experience and categories of works executed by them, their select list is prepared for different types and scales of works.

In view of the above two tests, there was no need to have another screening. But in MKVDC the third test i.e. pre-qualification of contractors was introduced. The contractors were not given blank tender forms unless they satisfy this condition. The lists of the prequalified contractors for a particular work were never published or displayed and rejected were informed about the reasons for rejection only after the last date of filing of the tender was over. Thus, this power was grossly misused by the senior officers of MVDVC. The favored ones were qualified even on the basis of forged document -s, and those having good reputation but not in the good books of the authorities or having no political connections were disqualified on flimsy grounds e.g.

a) Bhom Balakwadi Project (Satara Dist.) (estimated cost 100 crores).

One R.M.Mohite was a renowned contractor, but he was disqualified only to favour Pradhana constructions of P.Venku Reddy of which Avinash Bhosale was also a partner But Shri Mohite filed a complaint and in verification, the pradhana Constructions was found to have used other firm's documents as its own. It was such a serious mischief that the company should have been blacklisted but it was only disqualified for that work

b)Dhamani (Kolhapur district) (Estimated cost Rs 50 crores).

Here again, R.M.Mohite was disqualified to favor Uppar Constructions. Shri P.M.Mohite went to court and the court passed strictures against the method of prequalification. But Shri Mohite was politically pressurized to withdraw his claim to work

c)Temghar Project ( Pune District ) (Estimated cost 160 crores).

One Srinivas Company furnished forged documents for pre-qualification. They were challenged by another firm namely Progressive Company. But as Srinivas Company was a favorite of senior officers, it was not blacklisted or disqualified; but a compromise was brought about and the work was divided between the two.

(In this case the tender of the third company viz. National Project Constructors was not opened at all).

d)Many contractors furnished false work-done certificates from Co-op. Sugar factories and got them prequalified But no verification was done by the MKVDC. Even the form No. 16 of income tax which mentions the tax deducted at source from the bills and which was the sure evidence of actual work done was not insisted upon in case of favorite contractors, knowing fully well that the certificates were false or forged.

e) One Shaktikumar Sancheti & Co. was disqualified for Jambhore project (Kolhapur), the estimated cost of which was Rs.40 crores. But as he had some political connection, he pressurized the authorities and a tender in the joint name of P.Venku Reddy and S.K.Sancheti Co. was accepted through the joint company was not prequalified.

f)Kudal Dam project ( 80 crores).

This work Was allotted to Pradhana Construction Co. of Venku Reddy of which Avinash Bhosale is also a partner by arbitrarily disqualifying other players.

2)Manipulating publishing of tender notices,

In the first year of the MKVDC, the tender notices of the big and important works were being given in the important newspapers as required by Govt. directions. But the publishing of the notices were manipulated in a such a way that they got printed only in 10 to 15 issues of that news—paper and thus was known only to a few selected contractors who were sure to get some important work or the other in turn. As a result, other contractors remained in dark and there was no real competition and such tender of much high costs was accepted. But in a few months this secret leaked out and there were protests from other contractors. Therefore , this practice was discontinued and other methods were adopted to favor the coterie of contractors

3)Manipulation of work-completion period.

The contractor who completes the work within 70% of the period specified in the tender notice, gets 5% bonus of the tender cost. Therefore, in order to favor the contractors, much longer period than was actually required for a particular work was mentioned in the tender notice. As a result, many contractors could complete the work within 70% of the period and got the benefit of 5% bonus, which in some cases went in crores. This was naturally at the cost of the Corporation. It goes without saying that the Corporation's senior officers had fingers in this pie.

4)Manipulation of estimates to much higher side.

Another method to ensure the maximum profit to favorite contractors was to raise the estimated cost of a project very high (at times more than double) and manipulate the publishing of the tender notices in such a way that they reach only a selected few, out of which one was to be given the work.

The Bhama Askhed (Dist.pune)Project work, (estimated cost 38 crores) was to be allotted to P.Venku Reddy and everything was settled. But some other contractors which were not in the inner circle got this information and they unexpectedly submitted tenders at very competitive rates. There was a tough competition and the tender of one D.G.Patil & Co. which was 54% below the estimated cost was accepted. But even this reduced cost is said to be much higher compared to the usual cost.

5)Favoring some select group of contractors.

a)Ujani canal work 83/84 km. of Solapur District (estimated cost Rs.3 crores) was given to P.Venku Reddy company without issuing any tender notice.

b)Km.92 Kudals canal (Satara T)ist.) (3 to 4 crores) was given to Balaji Agency of one Sampat without issuing a tender notice. This work has not yet been regularized.

c)The contract of Takari Pump (Sangli Dist.)Housework was allotted to Mule Brothers & Co. after accepting their tender. But the company wanted higher rates and wanted to back out. In such a case very heavy penalty is imposed on the company concerned. But in this case contrary to the rules and the usual practice, Mule Brother's tender was withdrawn without imposing any liability on the company. A fresh tender notice was issued and the tender of one progressive construction company which was acting as a proxy of Mule Brothers was accepted at much higher rate (about 3 to 4 crores). In reality, the work is being executed by Mule Brothers themselves.

d)Tembhu Pipeline (250 to 300 crores).

Tenders were opened in line; but were taken to Mumbai under the pretext that the Secretary, Irrigation was holding the charge of the Executive Director and without any deliberation, the decision was taken hurriedly in a day, Avinash Bhosle acted as a go - between the Contractors on the one hand and the Corporation and the Govt. on the other.

e)Nira - Deoghar (150 Crores).

The contract was given to a joint venture company of which Avinash Bhosale wns a partner by disqualifying the other contractors and manipulating the tender notice only in few issues of news-paper.

f)Sina -Koregaon Tunnel (Solapur Dist.)

This work was also allotted to Avinash Bhosale but in somebody else's name. This can be established only by carefully scrutinizing Avinash Bhosale's and his Company's Income-tax records.

6)Huge Advances without observing any norms.

Giving reasonable advances to contractors is a usual practice in some big and important projects. But in MKVDC, all norms and rules were thrown to the wind and advances were given very liberally at the interest of 22%. The contract of Wang Project (Satara Dist.) of which the estimated cost was Rs.80 crores was given to a person who was politically very influential via Ms avalsekar of unity asian construction co. But even before a work order was issued, he was given a huge advance of Rs.13 crores. The contractor did not start the work for a year (From March97 to March 96)). nor did he return the amount. But on the other hand, he is requesting for the waiver of interest (to the tune of 3 crores) and it is learnt that the Corporation is also seriously considering his request.

The main beneficiaries of the MKVDC are undoubtedly Shri P.Venku Reddy and Avinash Bhosale. They have virtually reaped the windfall with blessings of some big wigs in the corporation and the government. It is said that both have declared huge amount under the VDIS, but the major portion of the windfall is learnt to have been siphoned off to foreign countries by " Hawala" and other modes and both of them have acquired N.R.I status.P venku Reddy has already settled in London. He is learnt to have a luxurious flat in South London. and is planning to start a chemical factory in London. Shri Avinash Bhosale is trying to base in Dubai. He has been frequenting Dubai under the garb of export of readymade garments, but his long-term plan is to make a permanent base there.

7)0ther irregularities

a)Market Missionaries Pvt.ltd.

This advertising company was engaged for the advertisement of the first two issues launched by the MKVDC, But the company was given an excess payment of 40 lakhs and nothing Was done to recover the same as the persons concerned are politically well connected.

b)Purchase of Computers.

The Corporation purchased computers worth Rs.2 crores. But in order to weed out other standard companies, an unreasonable condition of Works Contract Act Registration was put up and the computers were purchased from a non-descript company viz. Mechatronics , in spite of the fact that the N.I.C. had cautioned that the computers do not satisfy the specifications.

Next year the prices of computers were reduced by 15% following the reduction in taxes, but again the equal number of computers were purchased from the same company only, at 5% less price whereas about the same time Koyana Project had purchased computers at 15% less price

c)Purchase of Sumo vehicles.

Shri Ashok Patil, the then Chief Engineer, MKVDC purchased 50 Sumo vehicles for the Corporation in April 1996. Though the rate contract was fixed for these vehicles, Shri Patil purchased the vehicles from another trader at a price higher than the rate-contract, thus incurring a loss- of several lakhs to the Corporation.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Temghar dam leakages, who is really responsible for poor construction quality and bad workmanship. ?

State Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday ordered to initiate action against contractors Shrinivas Construction and Progressive Construction for faulty work of the Temghar dam in Pune district.But the big question is why only these two companies are being held responsible for the leakages . Actually, there was one more company who had been awarded for excellence in the execution of Temghar Masonry Dam. The company was soma enterprises limited and an award was given at the hands of then Minister for Irrigation Ajit Pawar .And interestingly nobody is mentioning its name in the entire episode. And that's why it doesn't seem that real culprits will be taken to justice

Temghar dam has been leaking ever since it was first built. The special investigation team was also formed to investigate leakages in dam and team members had passed hard strictures on the quality of execution, supervision and quality control aspects of Temghar dam. As well Ishwar Chaudhari the then Superintending Engineer, Pune Irrigation Projects Circle, had submitted a technical paper in The first dam safety conference held in Chennai in 2015 . As per this paper, the main cause of leakages in temghar Dam was poor construction quality and bad workmanship. He had also alleged that the ﬁrm , Srinivas Constructions to whom work had been allotted had executed it very badly. However, in his paper, Chaudhari had named only one firm Srinivas Constructions and there is no mention of progressive constructions or soma enterprises in his paper. Mega contractor-cum-builder Avinash Bhosale who has links with politicians was joint managing director of the soma enterprises.

In his technical paper Chaudhari has also alleged that

1)Upstream surface undulations and uneven slopes speak of bad workmanship and cement slurry accumulated on the upstream surface, percolated from the shuttering for cold grout masonry reveal that cement grout is not able to occupy the space between the stones due to improper packing between the stages of masonry. Large cavities show the improper laying of stones.

2) From correspondence made by the supervisory staff to the contractor, it reveals that proper mixing equipment was not used for preparing cement grout. Single drum mixer was used instead of double drum mixer which is not able to create the colloidal state of the mix. Also, use of improper grading of artificial sand used seems to be responsible for forming a homogenous masonry. The leakages on downstream are prominent below RL 669 where cold grout masonry is provided.

3)All these lacunae in the execution of cold grout masonry have defeated the purpose of providing it for imparting impermeability to the dam body.

4)There is a provision of stage wise grouting to be carried out before laying next season work. The stage grouting carried out may not have been done effectively to achieve the required impermeability. The field test results recorded at the time of construction shows the required impermeability results however the extent of leakages defies it totally. In situ masonry cores were not sent to MERI Nashik for permeability and strength test, which will reveal real status of strength and permeability parameters of the dam masonry.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also formed to investigate leakages in Dam . SIT members visited dam site twice and had passed hard strictures on the quality of execution, supervision and quality control aspects of Temghar dam construction and proposed enquiry by a special squad and also recommended that remedial measures shall be carried out at the risk and cost of the contractor and due payments shall not be released to him.

However, the irrigation department time and again insists that despite the leakage, there was no danger to the dam and no wastage of water. Construction work for the dam had begun in 1997. Till 2001,was finally completed in 2010. By 2006 itself, leaks had surfaced. While the irrigation department waited for the contractor to repair the leaks, nothing has been done so far.

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Thursday, July 21, 2016

No options left, Ratnakar Gaikwad has to resign otherwise..

On the background of assurance given by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that a report on Ratnakar Gaikwad's role in the Ambedkar Bhavan demolition will be sent to the Governor and on the background of surge of protest, an agitation and anger displayed by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's disciples recently , it appears that Chief State Information commissioner (CSIC) of Maharashtra has not left with any other option other than to resign .

Most irony part of the story is that Ratnakar Gaikwad himself has created the cause of action to remove himself from the post of CSIC under section 17 of RTI act. as per this section , Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the CSIC or a State Information Commissioner ( SIC) can be removed from his office only by order of the Governor on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the Governor, has on inquiry, reported that the State Chief Information Commissioner or a State Information Commissioner, as the case may be, ought on such ground be removed.

As per section 17(3) (e) of RTI act CSIC or SIC can be removed If he has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as the State Chief Information Commissioner or a State Information Commissioner

And as per section 17(4) CSIC or SIC can be removed if he, in any way, concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of the Government of the State or participates in any way in the profit thereof or in any benefit or emoluments arising therefrom otherwise than as a member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company, he shall, for the purposes of sub-section (1), be deemed to be guilty of misbehavior.

In a present case, Ratnakar Gaikwad has not only taken an active part in the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan but also saw and defended the demolition of it in the midnight openly.

While talking to Mumbai Mirror Gaikwad admitted that he wasn't connected with the trust, and was merely "advising" the office bearers, like so many organizations and NGOs do, and I helped them." . But he was seen on television giving the reason for demolition in the midnight. He said earlier while structural audit there was a hugh protest and hence they had to demolish it in midnight. That definitely wasn't just advice. It was active participation and "Interest in action".

Ratnakar Gaikwads behavior in Ambedkar Bhawan demolition case clearly shows that he had taken a lot of interest in. It was not just a passive advice, it was definitely an active participation falls under the section 17 of the RTI act. There may be counter arguments on whether information commissioners while in office are allowed to give advice to NGO's or people. But definitely, they are not allowed to take an active part in any organizations matters directly or indirectly.

If Government reports Ratnakar Gaikawad's involvement in Ambedkar Bhawan demolition case to the Governor, the Governor may start his removal procedure. And looking it to the increasing pressure on Government and assurance given by chief minister in assembly Government will definitely send such report. In that case, Governor as per section 17 (2) may suspend him from office, and if deem necessary prohibit also from attending the office during an inquiry. To avoid all this embarrassment Ratnakar Gaikwad has an option of only to Resign immediately.

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Kolkata Hawala crackdown: Probe into Dawood link yields 1,200 bank accounts, Middle East numbers

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Kingpin Santiago Martin being darling of all politicians 3 Lac crore rupee Maharashtra lottery scam may be toned down and killed

The Maharashtra online lottery scam runs into around three lac crore rupees , however kingpin of it Santiago martin being a darling of all political parties the scam is likely to be toned down and killed . No political party or its spokesperson has come forward to speak on this issue or at least demanded to nail the culprits.

Recently Anand kulkarni a former IAS officer exposed a massive 'online lottery scam' took place eight years back and held then Finance Minister Jayant Patil of NCP and senior IAS officer Kavita Gupta responsible .Kulkarni unearthed this scam after he obtained a copy of CID report under RTI. After a complaint regarding tender awarded to Martin lottery agencies, then Home Minister R R Patil had ordered a CID probe headed by the then Additional Director General of Police S P S Yadav into the lottery scam. Yadav had submitted its report , however, congress NCP led government didn't give heed to the report.

Though this scam runs into around three lac crores , this is not the first and the only scam of Santiago martin. He faces more than 35 lottery fraud cases in India and mostly are from Kerala. Once a small a labourer in Myanmar after coming to India entered into lottery business - mostly frauds. As his business flourished he made many of friends mostly from political parties.

According to Indian express, Martin's son Charles has joined BJP and his wife leena had managed on one occasion to get on to the then prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi' s campaign stage in Coimbatore.

Here are some stories carried by Indian Express about such such scams

| Chasing hawala trail, I-T seizes over Rs 50 cr from Kolkata, Siliguri

Profile: Santiago Martin, from labourer in Myanmar to Lottery King

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Saturday, June 4, 2016

Khadse exits, But his problems doesn't

Revenue Minister may have resigned but his problems haven't. The new revelation by Times of India ( ToI) confirms revenue ministers khadse's conflict of Interest and disloyalty to The government in Pune land scam case.As per ToI MIDC had never acquired the land khadse's kin have purchased.The rival arguments have been advanced by various authorities . However in any case whether MIDC had acquired the land or not khadse's worries have increased .

Even if we admit that the piece of land had not been acquired by the MIDC, Ukani ( The original owner of the land) has a valid title on it and MIDC has to start acquisition proceeding afresh. This situation brings more trouble for khadse. Because in this case his role becomes more important , because he is the final authority start or drop the acquisition proceedings.

In the case of fresh acquisition process, the land owner will get compensation as per new land acquisition act.That amounts to around 100crore rupees . This amount will not go to original owner Ukani , but will go to khadse's kins. The original owner has got only 3.75 crore rupees. Is there any business that gives 20 times returns of the amount invested. That is possible only if you are relative of the minister in any part of India .

As per ToI , The acquisition and the compensation award papers of the plot in Bhosari purchased by revenue minister Eknath Khadse's family members are “not available“ with the revenue department. Interesting isn't it?.

Related Stories

Pune Land Scam May End Eknath Khadse's Political Career

Which way Eknath Khadse is heading ,Manohar Joshi or Chagan Bhujbal ?

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Friday, June 3, 2016

Pune Land Scam May End Enknath Khadse's Political Career

If handled properly, the Pune land scam may put an end to revenue minister Eknath Khadse's political career .The way skeletons of this scam are tumbling out of governments cupboard , it appears that khadse has violated the oath of office and secrecy and is guilty of disloyalty to the government and conflict of interest.

Photo courtsey www.bamulahija.blogspot.com

Violation oath of office and secrecy

All ministers while taking the office of oath solemnly affirm allegiance to the Constitution of India , faithful and conscientious discharge duties as a Minister and to do right to all people in accordance with the Constitution and the law without fear or favor, affection or ill-will.

They also affirm that they will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person or persons any matter which shall be brought under their consideration or shall become known to them ,except as may be required for the due discharge of duties as such Minister

Photo courtsey www.behance.net

Khadse has violated both the oaths , He was always allegiant to his family only and not to the constitution of India. He didn't discharge his duties faithfully ,he always favored family only. Be it chairpersonship of Mahanand dairy an apex federation of district and taluka milk unions , or be it his daughter in laws Membership to the house of parliament. The consciously saw that his family was being favored and public money would go to them only.

Khadse's ill-will was prominently established when it was surfaced that he had called a meeting after initial payment for the purchase of the three-acre land in Bhosari, Khadse held a meeting where he ordered that the landowner should be compensated as per the enhanced rates under the new Land Act .In this meeting, he kept all the official in dark about his direct involvement in that deal.

Khadse also violated the oath of secrecy . He not only communicated about the land in Bhosari to his family but also saw that the original owner if at all compensated will get peanuts and the major chunk of the money will go to his family.

photo courtsey www.dnaindia.com

Disloyalty to the government

As guardian of government lands in Maharashtra, it was Eknath Khadse's duty to protect the interest of the Government and not to allow anybody to grab the compensation or land under the garb of sundry excuses. This act itself shows that he was not loyal to the Government. In this case, Khadse was interested in compensation to be given as per new law in 2013 for the land lat has been acquired almost 40 years back. If the government accepts to pay compensation as per new law for the lands that are acquired long back, it will make government insolvent. because there hundred of such cases where land is acquired but nobody has either accepted compensation or even nobody was either aware of such compensation.

Conflict of interest.

The purchase of 1.61 hectares of land in Bhosari by relatives of Khadse was a clear case of conflict of interest and trading of favours. On face though it appears that the deal was technically legal but actually it was not legal. The land belongs to MIDC, which issued a notification in 1962 and acquired it after paying compensation to its owner, Abbas Rasulbhai Ukani. After purchasing the land from Ukani, the MIDC has leased out it in smaller plots to various industrial units for 99 years.

In Itar Adhikar column of this land, MIDC's name is there . ITAR ADHIKAR (Other rights)on land is an important column to be carefully looked for when identifying the extract. It may consist of several other statutory or general obligations on land such as restriction on land transfer or liabilities on the holder or encumbrances on land or other rights attached to the land. Entries in this column can completely make the transaction invalid if overlooked. But who cares when the deal is related to Revenue Ministers relatives. Khadse's involvement, in this case, was not for the help of Ukani but to grab the benefits of this deal for his own fan family . And that is nothing but a conflict of interest.

All the three things mentioned above make Revenue Minister khadse disqualified under the representation of peoples act. And if it happens , that will be the full stop to his political career.

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