Maharashtra: Uddhav Dares Govt To Probe PM Cares Fund Amid ED Crackdown On BMC Covid 'Scam'

The development comes in the wake of ED raids across the state where it seized Rs 68.65 lakh in cash, documents revealing more than 50 immovable properties with an estimated value of over Rs 150 crore

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray speaks during a meeting of party's office bearers and public representatives, in Mumbai.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Amid the Enforcement Directorate (ED) crackdown on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) pertaining to an alleged Covid-19 scam, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray hit back at the central agency and sought a probe into the PM Cares Fund, news agency PTI reported. Thackeray also sought investigation into the functioning of civic bodies of Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune, as well as governments in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, all of which were or are led by the BJP.

The development comes in the wake of ED raids across the state on June 21 where the agency seized Rs 68.65 lakh in cash, documents revealing more than 50 immovable properties with an estimated market value of more than Rs 150 crore, news agency ANI reported.

Addressing his party workers, Thackeray dared the government to probe the working of the BMC during the pandemic, adding that the Epidemic Act and the Disaster Management Act were in place as the dire situation demanded that one go beyond rules to save the lives of people.

"We are not scared of any probe. And when you (government) want to probe, then you also probe Thane municipal corporation, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune and Nagpur civic bodies," Thackeray said.

"Probe the PM CARES Fund as well. The PM CARES Fund does not come under the ambit of any investigation. Lakhs and crores of rupees were collected. Many ventilators were malfunctioning. We will also carry out a probe," the former chief minister added.

Notably, the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund was set up in 2020 as a public charitable trust in a bid to have a dedicated national fund to deal with distress related primarily to the Covid pandemic. The Prime Minister is the chairperson and members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

The ED is probing alleged irregularities in the allotment of a civic contract to a firm to operate a jumbo Covid treatment facility.