Ahmedabad: Opposition Congress today demanded a probe by CBI into all recruitments done by various agencies of Gujarat government in the last 10 years.
The Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Arjun Modhvadia said his party was seeking the probe by the central agency as they suspect that a man arrested by police in Gandhinagar for taking money from job aspirants, has strong links with BJP leaders.
Modhvadia also questioned the silence of chief minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
"The man who was caught by the police has strong links with top BJP state leadership. After he was arrested, he has told police that the money collected by him used to go to BJP party fund," Modhvadia alleged.
"Amount of Rs 1.43 crore recovered from a BJP worker who resorted to corrupt practices in recruitment of 1200 Talati-cum-Mantri, is merely a tip of iceberg," he alleged.
Modhvadia said Congress wants CBI to investigate all recruitments done by various state agencies under the tenure of Modi.
Police recently apprehended a private coaching class owner Kalyansinh Champavat from Gandhinagar for allegedly duping students of lakhs of rupees by promising them jobs in the state revenue department.
Police had said Champavat collected Rs 10 lakh from more than 15 students.
On a tip-off, police raided his academy in Gandhinagar and recovered Rs 1.43 crore in cash and a mobile phone.
Modhvadia alleged that the BJP worker has good relations with two of the Cabinet ministers and also the CMO.
More than eight lakh youths had applied for 1200 vacancies of Talati advertised by Gujarat government, he said.
BJP has rubbished the allegations.
"During last 10 years, there were recruitments of 4500 constables, 500 PSIs, 45 Radio Operators, 40 Intelligence Officers, 60 Class-II officers etc," Modhvadia said.
He said in addition, there were appointments for more than 5,000 various posts which are made through Subordinate Service Selection Board, and also of the chief officers of municipalities and other posts.
"During every recruitment drive in various departments, there was open collection; ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, through associates of BJP and agents of ministers," Modhvadia alleged.
"Though there are a large number of complaints being received during every recruitment campaign then why the chief minister who is making tall claims of transparency has been silent?" he said.
The Congress leader alleged that Champavat was close to chief minister and had actively participated in seminars organised by RSS-ABVP.
"BJP worker Kalyansinh Champavat who is arrested in scandal of talati recruitment was close to the chief minister and he participated in nine different meetings with the CM.
"He was actively participating as resource person in Karmayogi Shivirs organised by the government to guide officers-employees with the blessing of chief minister," Modhvadia said.
When contacted, BJP`s media cell convener Harshad Patel dismissed the allegations, saying "Champavat is neither a primary nor an active member of BJP. He is not associated with BJP".
