Activist Anjali Damania Accuses Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde of Rs 200 Crore Agriculture Scam

Sending ripples in Maharashtra’s political circles, activist Anjali Damania has accused the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Dhananjay Munde, of orchestrating a massive Rs 200 crore scam in the Agriculture Department. The allegations pertain to Munde’s tenure as Agriculture Minister in the previous ‘Mahayuti’ government.

During a press conference in Mumbai, Damania outlined her accusations, alleging that Munde had issued an illegal government resolution (GR) that authorised the release of Rs 200 crore without the necessary cabinet approval. She further claimed that Munde had even attempted to secure an additional Rs 500 crore.

According to Damania, while the state cabinet held meetings on September 23 and 30, 2024, none of the decisions were related to the Agriculture Department. Despite this, Damania alleged that Munde had issued orders sanctioning the Rs 200 crore based on unrelated cabinet decisions, with no official mention of the funds in the meeting minutes.
In what has become a central point of contention, Damania claimed that the Rs 200 crore was sanctioned just a day before the Election Commission imposed the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Alarmingly, she stated that the letter approving the funds bore Munde’s signature but lacked the Chief Minister’s approval, a move she described as illegal.

Corruption Allegations and Ties to Murder Case

Damania did not stop at the financial irregularities alone. She also accused Munde of having ties to Valmik Karad, the alleged killer of Santosh Deshmukh, the ‘sarpanch’ of Massajog village. Damania alleged that Munde’s position in the cabinet was obstructing progress in the investigation into Deshmukh’s murder.

“There is a clear connection between Munde and Karad, and as long as Munde remains in the cabinet, no real action can be expected in this case,” Damania said, amplifying the growing concerns over the lack of justice in the murder investigation.
In addition to the political and criminal allegations, Damania raised questions about Munde’s financial dealings. She accused him of profiting from a state-owned company, citing documents that allegedly show Munde’s signature on the company’s balance sheet. Despite this, Damania claimed no action had been taken against him.

Alleged Inflated Procurement
One of the most damning allegations came from Damania’s claims regarding inflated prices for nano urea, a crucial agricultural input. According to the activist, Munde was involved in the procurement of nano urea at significantly inflated prices — Rs 220 per bottle, when the actual cost was just Rs 92. Damania pointed to her own investigation into the matter, revealing the discrepancy and asserting that such practices were part of a larger pattern of financial misconduct.
Damania made an impassioned plea for Munde’s removal from the cabinet, insisting that only then could the agriculture scam and the murder investigation be properly addressed. “Munde must be held accountable. These are not just allegations; they are concrete examples of corruption that cannot be ignored,” she asserted.​