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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Chitale panel clears Ajit Pawar in irrigation scam
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Chitale panel clears Ajit Pawar in irrigation scam

State government tables report, which blames five top officials for irregularities in the irrigation sector

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Photo: Hindustan TimesPremium
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Photo: Hindustan Times

Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and state water resources minister Sunil Tatkare were on Saturday given a clean chit by a special investigation team (SIT) appointed to probe alleged irregularities in the state’s irrigation sector.

Controversy arose in March 2012 when the economic survey tabled in the state legislature observed that despite spending 70,000 crore in 2000-2010 on irrigation, the state’s irrigation potential increased only 0.1%.

In August that year, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced a white paper on the state’s irrigation sector, under pressure from the opposition and civil society activists. The following month, in September, Pawar said he was stepping down as deputy chief minister to ensure the white paper is prepared in an impartial manner. Pawar was water resource minister in 2000-2009.

In December 2012, the state brought out a white paper, following which Pawar returned to the cabinet.

But, on protests from opposition parties against the white paper, Chavan announced the appointment of a SIT under the chairmanship of former Union water resources secretary Madhav Chitale.

The government on Saturday tabled the Chitale panel report, which has blamed five top officials for irregularities in the sector, in the state legislature, along with a 30-page action taken report.

The SIT report has said that Maharashtra’s irrigation potential has increased 20%, and not by 0.1% as claimed in the economic survey, during 2000 to 2010.

Leader of opposition in the state legislative council and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Tawade alleged, “We always expected SIT to come up with these kind of findings. The terms of reference for the SIT were set in such a manner by the government, it virtually barred SIT from examining the role of political executive in the whole scam."

Speaking with reporters Tatkare said, “As per recommendations of the SIT, departmental inquiry will be initiated against erring officials."

Saturday was the last day of the state legislature’s budget session and also perhaps the last session of the state legislature before the assembly elections.

The assembly elections are due in October-November this year.

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Published: 14 Jun 2014, 08:45 PM IST
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