Mumbai: The Maharashtra government will institute a probe into the allegation of corruption in the purchase of vaccine to treat foot-and-mouth disease among livestock. The Council chairman asked the government to take note of the serious mismanagement of tenders by the Animal Husbandry Department, causing delay in treating nearly two crore cattle across the State last year. This came in response to a calling attention motion alleging that tenders for the vaccination had been called seven times in the past.
But conditions were relaxed this year to favour a particular company. The members of the House demanded the resignation of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Mahadev Jankar.
The failure to vaccinate could result in losses to the tune of ₹20,000 crore, members said. The issue was also raised in the Assembly, where it was alleged that instructions of the department secretary were overlooked by the Commissioner to let the tender go through.
