Mumbai: In a last-ditch effort to save itself from major embarrassment, the state government announced late on Monday the terms of references as well as the names of members of the special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam.
The announcement came at 11.40pm, just 20 minutes before the expiry of the government’s self-imposed December 31 deadline.
According to a release put out by the CM’s office, the SIT, headed by water management expert Madhavrao Chitale, will have three former bureaucrats—retired additional chief secretary (finance) A K D Jadhav, retired irrigation secretary V M Ranade and retired agriculture commissioner Krishna Lavekar— as its members. The SIT, which will be headquartered in Aurangabad, will have to submit its report within six months.
The government also announced the SIT’s terms of reference, which include reasons for lesser irrigated area, cost escalation in projects and the delay in execution and implementation of the projects. The SIT will also probe if administrative procedures were followed while approving the cost escalations. The government has asked the SIT to recommend measures it needs to take to complete irrigation projects within deadlines.
Water resources minister Sunil Tatkare had announced the formation of the SIT in the state legislative assembly on December 17. “The SIT probe will certainly go beyond what the white paper has already established,” he had said.
“The government took its own sweet time to make the announcement. Fearing criticism from the Opposition in case the government missed the deadline, Chavan made the announcement at the eleventh hour,” a Mantralaya official said. “The difference of opinion among the coalition partners on the SIT’s terms of reference led to the delay.”
For the past few months, the Congress and the NCP have been at loggerhead over the irrigation issue. The NCP’s Ajit Pawar had to resign following allegations of irregularities in irrigation projects. After the government’s white paper practically gave Pawar a clean chit, he was re-inducted into the state cabinet. The Opposition condemned Pawar’s re-induction, following which the CM agreed to an SIT probe.
STORY SO FAR
The announcement came at 11.40pm, just 20 minutes before the expiry of the government’s self-imposed December 31 deadline.
According to a release put out by the CM’s office, the SIT, headed by water management expert Madhavrao Chitale, will have three former bureaucrats—retired additional chief secretary (finance) A K D Jadhav, retired irrigation secretary V M Ranade and retired agriculture commissioner Krishna Lavekar— as its members. The SIT, which will be headquartered in Aurangabad, will have to submit its report within six months.
The government also announced the SIT’s terms of reference, which include reasons for lesser irrigated area, cost escalation in projects and the delay in execution and implementation of the projects. The SIT will also probe if administrative procedures were followed while approving the cost escalations. The government has asked the SIT to recommend measures it needs to take to complete irrigation projects within deadlines.
Water resources minister Sunil Tatkare had announced the formation of the SIT in the state legislative assembly on December 17. “The SIT probe will certainly go beyond what the white paper has already established,” he had said.
“The government took its own sweet time to make the announcement. Fearing criticism from the Opposition in case the government missed the deadline, Chavan made the announcement at the eleventh hour,” a Mantralaya official said. “The difference of opinion among the coalition partners on the SIT’s terms of reference led to the delay.”
For the past few months, the Congress and the NCP have been at loggerhead over the irrigation issue. The NCP’s Ajit Pawar had to resign following allegations of irregularities in irrigation projects. After the government’s white paper practically gave Pawar a clean chit, he was re-inducted into the state cabinet. The Opposition condemned Pawar’s re-induction, following which the CM agreed to an SIT probe.
STORY SO FAR
- Following allegations by opposition parties over the irrigation scam worth Rs 70,000 crore, the CM announced an SIT probe
- The white paper tabled by the government in November claimed 28% rise in the irrigation potential in the past 10 years
- The state economic survey cited .01% rise in irrigated area in Maharashtra while the white paper tabled by the government claims 5.17% rise
Courtesy:
Sanjeev Shivadekar TNN
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/01/01&PageLabel=8&EntityId=Ar00800&ViewMode=HTML
Sanjeev Shivadekar TNN
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/01/01&PageLabel=8&EntityId=Ar00800&ViewMode=HTML
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