SIT probing irrigation scam seeks 2-month extension

Comes at a time when Cong-NCP govt under attack for rejecting judicial commission's report on Adarsh scam

A special investigation team (SIT) led by water expert Madhav Chitale has sought a two-month extension to complete its probe into the multi-crore Maharashtra irrigation scam.

The decision to seek a two-month extenstion was taken by the committee, which is currently operating from Aurangabad, at its meeting held on Friday as it has yet to scrutinise various papers and statistics.

A state government official confirmed that the Chitale-led SIT had sought an extension. However, he said that the cabinet would take a call in this regard. If accepted, the SIT is expected to submit the report by the end of Feburary next year.

The SIT’s plea comes at a time when the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government is under attack from various quarters for rejecting the two-member judicial commission’s report on the Adarsh housing society scam. The govenment had appointed the SIT on December 31 last year, after strong demands by opposition parties

Within a span of seven months in 2009, cost of 38 irrigation projects being implemented by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) escalated by a whopping Rs 20,050.06 crore to Rs 26,722.33 crore from Rs 6,672.27 crore.

Thirty out of the 38 projects were granted hurried approvals in just four days including 11 projects on August 14, 2009, 10 projects on June 2009, 5 projects on July 7, 2009 and 4 projects on August 18, 2009. The Vadnere committee in its report observed that the cost updating of 37 out of total 137 major tenders were carried as per the government norms.

The govenment had formed the SIT last year after strong demand made by the opposition parties. However, SIT does not enjoy powers under the Judicial Commission Inquiry Act. One of its terms of reference is relating to fix the responsibility for irregularities if found during investigations and suggest actions against the concerned.

The committee has been mandated to probe the leading reasons for low level of irrigated area, the actual rise in irrigation potential and irrigated area, use of water for non irrigation purposes.

The committee would inquire into the cost and time overrun of various projects after they received revised administrative approvals from irrigation corporations. The committee would have examine whether the rise in cost was in tune with the stipulated norms and rules. Moreover, the committee has been asked to look into delays in project implementation.

Furthermore, the committee would have to make suggestions to step up irrigation potential, irrigated area and increase merit of the works undertaken by the water resources department and also about necessity of lift irrigation projects.