Chitale on investigation into irrigation scam

The special investigation team (SIT) set up by the state government under former secretary Madhav Chitale to probe the alleged irregularities in irrigation projects does not have the authority to investigate allegations made in this regard.

“The investigation into any allegations is not covered in the committee’s purview,” said Chitale in a letter to leader of the opposition Vinod Tawade.

Tawade had earlier written to Chitale pointing out that he had made allegations of wrong doing in the irrigation corporations based on documentary evidence and had offered to cross examine the signatories of the documents secured by him under the right to information act to examine their (documents) veracity.

Tawade had asked Chitale whether the SIT, which is based in Aurangabad and has four members including Chitale, had the rights to summon the concerned officials for an inquiry.

The BJP had earlier sought that the SIT be set up under the commissions of inquiry act to give it more powers.