Irrigation scam: Bombay High Court wants to know if Maharashtra government is investigating contractors

The Bombay high court on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra government to explain the extent to which it was probing the irrigation scam, after the court heard that the Chitale committee probing the scam has not gone into alleged involvement of contractors.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Anil Memon asked the advocate general Sunil Manohar to give "terms of reference" in the irrigation scam within a week.

Mihir Desai, counsel for the petitioners, pointed out that though an open inquiry has been initiated into the scam, the contractors who constructed the dams have been left out from the purview of the probe.

Manohar informed the HC that the government will look into this aspect.

The HC was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mayank Gandhi, an Aam Aadmi Party leader, and others, alleging irregularities in the awarding and construction of Kondhane dam project in Raigad district.

The PIL contended that hundreds of acres of forests will be affected by this project which does not even have the requisite permission from the environment ministry. Also, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had issued a stop-work notice on the project as it was affecting some caves in the vicinity, contended the PIL.

On January 29, the Maharashtra government had informed the HC that the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has initiated an open inquiry against 12 dam projects in the Raigad district for alleged irregularities in their construction.

The government took the decision following recommendations by the Chitale committee which was set up to probe the alleged irregularities. The government had formed a special inquiry committee headed by former secretary Madhavrao Chitale along with three other members to probe into irrigation scams across the state.

The government has accepted most of the recommendations of the Chitale Committee. It has recommended to conduct a detailed enquiry by an appropriate authority in respect of Kondhane and Chanera projects in Raigad district.

In January, an affidavit was filed by Dr Sanjay Belsare, superintendent engineer and deputy secretary, water resources department, stating that in May 2014, the government has initiated departmental enquiry (DE) against the officers responsible for irregularities in respect of Kondhane Dam; this was as per the recommendations of the Chitale committee. While the departmental enquiry is pending, four of the erring officers connected with Kondhane dam have already been suspended.

Also, the government has opened an inquiry into four other projects through the vigilance unit under the water resources department.

Moreover, the government decided to conduct an open enquiry (through the anti-corruption bureau) into allegations made with reference to 12 out of 15 projects mentioned by the petitioners. The ACB has already begin the enquiry.