Amid the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against some persons close to Uddhav Thackeeay’s party in an alleged jumbo Covid facility ‘scam’, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief slammed the Central agency and sought a probe into the PM CARES Fund. Uddhav Thackeray also sought investigations into the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, besides seeking a probe into the functioning of the Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune civic bodies.
Uddhav Thackeray was addressing his party workers when he sought a probe into the PM CARES Fund. Uddhav Thackeray also dared the government to probe the working of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during the pandemic. He said that his party was not scared of the ED investigation.
Uddhav Thackeray said, “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.”
“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 Maharashtra chief minister said.
During the week, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at locations linked to individuals reportedly having close ties to Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray, prominent leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT), as well as the central purchase department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
What is the ED investigating? The law enforcement agency conducted raids in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of a civic contract to a firm to operate a jumbo Covid treatment facility.
ABOUT PM CARES
The Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund was set up in 2020 as a public charitable trust with the aim of having a dedicated national fund to deal with distress related primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister is the chairperson and members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
Updated: 24 Jun 2023, 03:02 PM IST