Maharashtra’s COVID-19 Scam: Will Justice Be Served?

Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar orders a probe in Beed—Will he dare to unearth the multi-thousand crore scam buried statewide?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption in Maharashtra’s public health department spread like the virus itself. Media reports had exposed a massive scam worth hundreds of crores, backed by undeniable evidence. An investigation followed, and audits confirmed the irregularities. However, powerful politicians and bureaucrats allegedly conspired to bury the scam, ensuring no real action was taken.

Now, Beed MLA Namita Mundada has raised the issue in the state legislature, putting the government on the defensive. In response, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has ordered the immediate suspension of the district civil surgeon under suspicion. He has also announced an inquiry into the delays in previous investigations and subsequent actions.

Abitkar, who is also the guardian minister of Kolhapur, faces a crucial test. His district witnessed a ₹110 crore scam related to the purchasing of medicines and surgical equipment during the pandemic. Will he take bold steps to initiate action in Kolhapur as well? More importantly, will he limit the probe to Beed, or will he expand it to uncover the widespread corruption across Maharashtra?

Multi-Thousand Crore Scam—Buried and Forgotten?

While citizens were gripped with fear during the pandemic, some ministers' close aides, administrative officials, and supplier companies allegedly looted Maharashtra. The scam, estimated to be worth thousands of crores, involved the procurement of medicines and medical equipment at highly inflated rates—sometimes 2 to 10 times their market price.

Media houses relentlessly pursued the story. In Kolhapur, then-District Collector, Daulat Desai had refused to clear the suppliers' bills after noticing irregularities. However, the corrupt network ensured his transfer. Meanwhile, a senior officer suspected of involvement was given a grand farewell by ministers, complete with garlands, despite allegations against him.

A petition regarding the scam is currently being heard in the Bombay High Court. The court has already pulled up the government for its mismanagement, yet not a single clerk has been suspended so far. A pharmacist from the Zilla Parishad reported that 75 crucial files related to the scam had mysteriously gone missing—yet no probe was initiated. On the contrary, several officials suspected of corruption were rewarded with promotions.

Will the Government Take Firm Action?

Now that Beed MLA Namita Mundada has reignited the issue, will real action follow? Notably, this scam occurred during the tenure of the then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. At that time, current CM Devendra Fadnavis was the leader of the opposition and had vocally raised this issue in the legislature. However, since then, Maharashtra has seen two different governments, with Fadnavis serving first as deputy CM and now as CM once again.

With Fadnavis now in power, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has a golden opportunity to take credit for a full-fledged investigation. If those who looted Maharashtra during the pandemic are sent behind bars, Kolhapur’s people might just celebrate by taking out a grand procession in Abitkar’shonour!

Beyond COVID-19—A Deeper Health Department Cleanup Needed

While the COVID-19 scam is shocking, the corruption in Maharashtra’s public health department extends far beyond it. Over the past four years, questionable purchases, unnecessary procurements, and expired medicines have plagued the system.

Currently, Kolhapur holds key portfolios in the state's health administration—Prakash Abitkar heads the Public Health Ministry, while Hasan Mushrif from Kagal represents the Medical Education Department. Interestingly, just like in the health department, a similar multi-thousand crore procurement scam allegedly took place in the medical education sector.

If Mushrif follows Abitkar’s lead and orders a fair investigation, Maharashtra’s health sector might finally start recovering from the disease of corruption.

(The author is a senior journalist based in Kolhapur. Views personal.)