Governor orders probe against MLA for diversion of funds

Nagpur, Sep 23 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna has ordered an inquiry into the alleged diversion of funds of the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board by former chairman Harshavardhan Deshmukh, MLA, the state government told the Bombay High Court here.

In an affidavit before the court, the government said the enquiry was being conducted into allegations that during his tenure as the board's head, Mr Deshmukh violated the norms to allocate Rs 40 lakh for the construction of pilgrim residential complexes in two temples in village Jarud in Amravati district of Vidarbha.

The affidavit came in response to a petition, alleging that the allocation was irregular since the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board was not entitled to spend funds on such projects.

In its affidavit, the state government told a division bench consisting of Justice D K Deshmukh and Justice R C Chavan that the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati had been asked to conduct the probe.

The Bench ordered the government to complete the probe within six months.

UNI