The news report ' Gaude in soup ; abusive audio clip goes viral' (TGE, Feb 7) is yet another allegation of misdemeanour and high-handedness on the part of Arts and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, hurling abuses at the tribal welfare director within a week of being charged by Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar with misappropriation of public funds to the tune of a few lakhs. Earlier, it was repairs to Kala Academy where Gaude was charged with awarding the contract for repair works, without adhering to the stipulated rules of calling for tenders. Later, it was the collapse of the auditorium slab during the repair work that got Gaude implicated, but somehow managed to get away scot-free with a clean chit. It is surprising that the BJP govt is dragging its feet at arriving at a quick decision on such controversial but serious charges, although it never fails to trumpet its stand of a govt with zero tolerance to corruption. Such intransigence will only encourage others in the ministry to follow suit, knowing very well that nothing is going to happen.
