Senior Congress MLA Amit Chavda has levelled sweeping allegations of corruption within the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), claiming that financial misconduct to the tune of Rs 150 crore took place under the watch of senior officials.&nbsp;
Chavda demanded that central agencies including the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department initiate investigations, citing findings from an audit and documents provided by whistleblowers.
At a press briefing held at the State Assembly on Monday, Chavda asserted, &ldquo;Corruption has become the norm under BJP&rsquo;s three-decade-long rule in Gujarat. From Nal Se Jal and MGNREGA to land scams and now GIDC, public funds continue to be looted with impunity.&rdquo;
He highlighted a preliminary audit report from the Principal Accountant General (Audit), submitted in June, which flagged irregularities worth approximately Rs 60 crore in GIDC. He further claimed that tenders were manipulated, works were awarded without proper procedure, and certain contractors were favoured through altered conditions.
&ldquo;Work orders amounting to around Rs 35 crore were handed to selected agencies without any bidding process,&rdquo; Chavda revealed.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Conditions in tenders were revised mid-way to suit specific companies, and incorrect declarations from bidders were knowingly adjusted to benefit them.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He also mentioned that GIDC failed to recover Rs 3.5 crore due from agencies for FMG testing, providing an undue benefit.
Another significant allegation involved the payment of nearly Rs 6.5 crore for pollution control equipment in Dahej and Vapi, despite no installation or certification being carried out. Chavda stated that certain items, though clearly listed as responsibilities of the vendors in tenders, were paid for separately by GIDC after altering the agreement. &ldquo;Over Rs 3.5 crore was paid in excess, giving direct benefit to a handful of agencies,&rdquo; he said.
He directed sharp criticism at former GIDC Chief Engineer Ramesh Bhadora, stating that his entire career had been marked by controversy. According to Chavda, Bhadora received multiple promotions and postings despite allegedly lacking the required qualifications and was later granted service extensions post-retirement. &ldquo;During his tenure alone, extra excess bills worth Rs 150 crore were cleared. Unlike normal departments where bills take months to process, payments under Bhadora were expedited within days,&rdquo; Chavda said.
He further claimed that Bhadora placed loyal officers in strategic roles, sidelining those who raised concerns. &ldquo;Despite complaints from within the department, no disciplinary action was taken. When asked why, the explanation was that Bhadora was tasked with managing election funds in specific districts and operated under top-level protection,&rdquo; Chavda alleged.&nbsp;
&ldquo;This allowed large-scale corruption to proceed unchecked, even when audits had identified it clearly.&rdquo;
Referring to recent payments, Chavda noted that as recently as July 1, GIDC approved over Rs 30 crore in additional disbursements. &ldquo;This indicates that the corrupt practices are ongoing and happening under political patronage,&rdquo; he said.
He urged the state government to uphold its own commitments to transparency. &ldquo;The Chief Minister recently advised newly elected village heads not to engage in corruption. But what about officers under his own administration, who are openly misusing public money?&rdquo; Chavda questioned.
Chavda demanded a thorough review of every GIDC tender issued in the past five years, particularly focusing on extra excess payments, which he claimed amount to around Rs 150 crore. He also raised concerns that in many cases, physical verification of works at the site revealed either incomplete or entirely missing installations, yet payments were made in full.
According to Chavda, in cases where bills exceed a certain limit, even the Chief Engineer does not have the authority to approve payments without higher approval. &ldquo;Despite this, payments were processed without sanction. Every such transaction must be investigated,&rdquo; he said.
He concluded by demanding the formation of a special inquiry committee to review all works, approvals, and financial dealings in the GIDC. &ldquo;This is not just an internal matter. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, ED, and Income Tax Department must intervene. When ordinary citizens face scrutiny for minor financial discrepancies, why are the masterminds behind scams worth crores untouched?&rdquo; Chavda asked.
He also revealed that a citizen had submitted a detailed complaint backed by evidence, suggesting the existence of a well-organised syndicate of officials involved in orchestrating the scam. Chavda emphasised that unless strong action is taken, the public's hard-earned money will continue to be plundered, and the guilty will remain shielded.
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Congress Alleges Massive Corruption in GIDC

Amit Chavda alleges massive misuse of public funds in GIDC; demands probe into Rs 150 crore scam.

Cong MLA Flags Massive GIDC Scam in Gujarat

Amit Chavda alleges massive misuse of public funds in GIDC; demands probe into Rs 150 crore scam.

July 15, 2025 | 01:46 IST