Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Thursday announced the immediate suspension of a senior Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited's (MahaVitaran) official and a high-level probe against him over corruption and other allegations levelled against the latter. Raut made the announcement in the state Assembly after Shiv Sena MLA Dnyanraj Chaugule and others charged MahaVitaran’s deputy director (security and enforcement) Sumit Kumar with corruption and moral degradation.
The legislators accused Kumar of demanding money illegally from a meter reading agency in the MahaVitaran, "taking advantage of his post" and threatening other officials.
In his reply, Raut said Kumar is at present posted as deputy director (security and enforcement) at the Konkan regional office of the MahaVitaran. Kumar has been given additional charge of chief investigation officer, the minister added.
"There was also a complaint of moral degradation against him. That is the main concern. Of the complaints received against him, it seems, many were made by women employees. Hence, an order is being issued to immediately suspend Sumit Kumar and for a high-level probe against him," he said.
Meanwhile, Raut also announced a probe into the alleged Rs 3,500 crore power purchase scam by the retired MahaVitaran director Dinesh Sabu. The inquiry will be conducted by the MahaGenco chairman and managing director Sanjay Khandare. He said the report will be sent to the state government and also to the Economic Offences Wing and Special Branch for further action.
