Govt officials say anti-graft police’s affidavit blaming former minister is ‘sigh of relief’ for him
The affidavit submitted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau against NCP leader Ajit Pawar in connection with the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court is unlikely to hold water in a court of law, sources have said.
According to the affidavit, as irrigation minister, Ajit Pawar signed on the files approving various projects, but the responsibility to scrutinise the project files lies with the administrative wing of the department.
"As per the Maharashtra Governance of Rules of Business, section 10, it is the responsibility of that particular department's minister to take the decision. Section 14 of the same business rules explain that the verification, cross-checking and scrutinising on behalf of the minister was done by the secretary of that department. Secretary has to follow all prescribed norms and regulations. If there are any irregularities or violation of rules, it is the responsibility of the secretary to bring these wrongdoings to the notice of that particular minister. Here, nothing of the sort happened, so Ajit Pawar cannot be at fault for approving the project files and signing over it. Pawar has neither overruled any forwarded decisions nor undermined the power of the secretary," said a senior government official, explaining the technicalities of this rules of business in government.
He further said that there was no loss of revenue to the government when these projects were allotted.
"So the case will not hold any water in the court of law. As a minister, Ajit Pawar can ask the department to submit the project files directly to him to fast-track the decisions. But ACB has not yet found any financial irregularities. Another allegation is that Pawar has also given mobilisation of advance to contractors. While giving this mobilisation of advance, the given amount was subsequently recovered from these contractors. If there is no loss of revenue, the case cannot be termed a scam. It can be a procedural wrong but not a scam," the officer said, on the condition of anonymity.
Another source in the government said that the Nagpur bench of the court had asked ACB to submit an affidavit within a month.
"Now, this entire 27-page affidavit will not sustain in court. The court may pass remarks but it cannot pass any 'serious wrongdoing' order against Pawar. The ACB affidavit has in fact given a sigh of relief to Pawar, who was in the eye of the storm for several years over the alleged irrigation scam," said another person who is part of this development.
Ajit Pawar maintained that the matter is sub-judicised and he would not comment further. He said he'd cooperate with any probe.
'NO COMMENT'
Ajit Pawar maintained that the matter is sub-judice and he would not comment further. He said he’d cooperate with any future probe.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Narmada")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}