Bhondubaba Kharat case ‘Out of Control’, Says Minister

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Rural Development Minister Bharat Gogawale on Monday termed the case of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat as serious and extensive, stating that the matter has gone beyond control. He said the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Ministers and concerned agencies are conducting a thorough probe, and action will follow based on the inquiry findings.

Speaking during a review meeting at the District Collector’s office on the Employment Guarantee Scheme and land acquisition, Gogawale also commented on the Baramati by-election. He said the Mahayuti alliance has filed a single nomination in support of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, with BJP, Shinde Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) backing her candidature and expressing confidence of victory.

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Rs 1,400 crore released for development works

At a divisional review meeting of the Employment Guarantee Department, the minister said the Centre has approved new schemes, though implementation may be delayed by two to three months due to elections in four states. So far, Rs 1,400 crore has been jointly released by the Centre and State, with pending dues to be cleared soon. Officials were directed to complete MNREGA works both skilled and unskilled within three months. The review covered housing projects, Panand roads, Yuktadhara, face authentication, labour muster rolls, farm ponds and other works. The minister noted that e-KYC completion remains low. The meeting was attended by MLA Ramesh Boranare, Vilas Bhumre, acting commissioner of the employment guarantee department and Latur District collector Bharat Bastewad, deputy secretary Arvind Pagar, joint secretary Atul Kore, Nanded Zilla Parishad CEO Meghna Kawli, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ZP CEO Minnu P. M, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anant Gavhane, and other officials.