Drivers are directors in netas’ firms Peons, Astrologers Too Hold High Posts, But Don’t Know It

Drivers are directors in netas’ firms

Peons, Astrologers Too Hold High Posts, But Don’t Know It

Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Mumbai:Manohar Panse, the driver of BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who was found to be a director on several of Gadkari’s companies, is not alone. Peons, clerks and drivers of leading politicians have become overnight millionaires or secured key assignments in the institutions set up by their employers.
    TOI was the first to break the story about Panse being a director on five of Gadkari’s Purti Power and Sugar Limited (PPSL) investor companies and a director in six other companies between 2009 and 2011. TOI’s continuing investigation into the shareholding of PPSL has revealed that Rajesh Khanzode, an employee of Purti’s bakery unit, and Vishnu Sharma, an astrologer from Mumbai, are also directors of two companies with stakes in PPSL. However, Panse is reportedly unaware of the high position he holds in the firms floated or controlled by Gadkari; Khanzode too denied knowing anything about his directorship to TOI. Sharma was away when TOI visited his house but his wife claimed he did not know anything either.
    In political and bureaucratic circles, the fact that many politicians use their drivers or peons for benami transactions is well known. “Such transactions are real but everyone knows that the people who make huge investments or are chosen for these important posts cannot possibly do it on their own and are being used,” a senior bureaucrat said.
    Recalling the commission of inquiry probing the Adarsh scam, the bureaucrat cited the cases of Sudhakar Madke and Suresh Atram, a driver and peon working in the firms set up by controversial BJP MP Ajay Sancheti who bought a flat each worth Rs 60 lakh in the housing society.
CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
    (Registrar of Companies)
    will definitely inquire into it... We told our ministry to make some discreet inquiry to find out what exactly is the matter
Veerappa Moily
UNION CORPORATE AFFAIRS MINISTER
    There is suspicion about
    his (Gadkari’s) integrity... In the interest of the party and his own interest he must get out of this position (BJP president) Ram Jethmalani | BJP Manohar Panse (driver): Was director in 11 Gadkari firms
Sudhakar Madke (driver): BJP MP Ajay Sancheti gave him 60 lakh to buy flat in Adarsh housing society
Suresh Atram (peon): Sancheti man owns a flat in Adarsh
Vishal Kedari (grocer): Also owns a flat in Adarsh
Rajesh Khanzode (bakery worker) & Vishnu Sharma (astrologer): Directors in Gadkari’s Purti group shareholder firms