A Pune-based RTI activist has alleged that the NCP, while in power in Maharashtra had installed a permanent valve in the Khadakwasla dam, a key source of water supply to Pune, to "illegally" divert water to Nanded city.
According to RTI activist Ravi Barhate, Nanded city has been enjoying uninterrupted drinking water supply from the Khadakwasla dam at the behest of NCP.
"With instructions from then Water Resource Ministry of the state, Chief Engineer of Water resource department Pune had illegally approved to provide a total of 7.832 TMC water for Nanded city development and some construction companies," Barhate claimed.
According to the approval letter of the Chief Engineer dated 19 April 2008, Nanded city was given water from the quota meant for agricultural purposes, he claimed.
"7.832 TMC water that was diverted to Nanded city for drinking and commercial purposes by installing a permanent valve below the dead water level of Khadakwasla dam could have helped in the irrigation of 825 hectares of land. But now, Nanded gets a continuous water supply even in times of water crisis," Barhate alleged.
He further claimed that at a time when the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to cut water supply by 40 per cent to tackle an acute water crises situation, Nanded city is enjoying 24X7 water supply.
However, NCP leader and then water resource minister Sunil Tatkare has denied all allegations.
"I can't say if Nanded city or any project has been given illegal water supply from dams or canals right now. But one thing is clear, it was the high powered committee that decided who should be given water," Tatkare said.
He also denied allegations that the industries or housing projects, which were given the water supply, are related with or close to the Sharad Pawar family.
"Those were completely an administrative decisions," Tatkare said.
