Civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal has ordered an inquiry into the appointment of contractors from companies allegedly associated with a Yuva Sena leader that provided food, sanitizers and laundry services to two hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Sandeep Deshpande had alleged various scams during the pandemic, but this is the first time Chahal has ordered an inquiry.

Deshpande met Municipal Commissioner Chahal on Wednesday. He claimed the contract awarded to companies associated with Yuva Sena leader Vaibhav Thorat entailed supplying food to patients in two field hospitals, providing laundry services and sanitizers. “Hand-in-glove with some BMC officials, the leader supplied only 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the materials. But the bills were charged for 100 per cent materials,” said Deshpande.