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Indicted Maharashtra Minister resigns

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, MARCH 10. The Maharashtra Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Suresh Dada Jain, today resigned from the Cabinet after an enquiry commission indicted him of corrupt practices and maladministration. Mr. Jain is a member of the Nationalist Congress Party.

In his letter of resignation submitted this morning to the party president, Sharad Pawar, Mr. Jain said that the Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, had shown him the conclusion of the Justice P.B. Sawant Commission's report yesterday.

"I believe in view of the aspersions cast and also in view of the propriety and dignity of the high office which I hold as the Minister of Higher and Technical Education, I tender my resignation," he said in his letter. The Deputy Chief Minister, R. R. Patil, told the press that the party would take a decision on the letter by tomorrow.

Mr Jain told The Hindu: "I believe it is my duty to resign and I will see that I will come clean."

The Sawant Commission was set up two years ago to probe corruption charges and misuse of office against four NCP Ministers by the earlier government, after social activist Anna Hazare went on a hunger strike. However, the report has not been made public.

It will be tabled in the coming session of the legislature, which begins on Monday. While the report exonerated Vijay Kumar Gavit, Minister for Tribal Development, of corruption charges, the Minister for Labour, Nawab Malik, and the former Minister for Energy, Padamsinh Patil, were indicted along with Mr. Jain. Mr. Hazare too has been indicted by the report.

Mr. Malik told The Hindu that there was no question of him resigning as he was not guilty of anything.

The Chief Minister yesterday set up a task force to be headed by a former chief secretary to study the report.

The recommendations of this task force, which can suggest the action to be taken within three months, will be binding.

Mr. Jain said even though the news about the report broke two weeks ago, he was not sure he was indicted.

The matter was only confirmed yesterday. "I have asked for a detailed report and I will reply to the task force also. I am confident I will clear my name," he said.

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Indicted Maharashtra Minister resigns

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