Mumbai: Comptroller and Auditor Generals (CAG) commercial report categorically talks about the irregularities and misuse of power by the newly-appointed and outgoing chief ministers of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan and Vilasrao Deshmukh respectively.

The former has used MIDC funds for renovation of the his office violating government directives, while the later diverted the corporation money for his educational institution using his political position.

The report was tabled in both houses of the legislature on Tuesday, eight months after it was submitted. The 2006-07 report has said MIDC renovated the offices of ministers and secretaries and official bungalows of ministers of state of industries department, which governs MIDC, spending Rs1.52 crore, violating rules.

The corporation spent Rs49.77 lakh on office renovation and Rs68.70 lakh on residence of the minister of state. It spent Rs33.33 lakh on renovation of offices of the principal secretary and development commissioner. The renovations were made in 2002 and 2007 and ministers for the department were Patangrao Kadam (till Nov 2004) and Ashok Chavan (from Nov 2004 to Dec 2008).

Both Chavans and Kadams offices said renovation work was not undertaken during their tenures.

The report has spent two pages explaining the violation of the rules to favour former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh by helping financially the Vilasrao Deshmukh Foundation. Not only the area allotted to the educational institution is exorbitant, but is valued less than that specified in the rules of the corporation. It appears from the report that the corporation amended its policy in April 2002 to favour the Foundation, which applied for the land in September 2001.
Source : Central