Special investigation team cannot probe babus in irrigation scam: Madhav Chitale

Water expert Madhav Chitale, who heads the special investigation team (SIT) set up by the state to probe the alleged irregularities in irrigation projects, has said that the SIT does not have the authority to investigate officials involved in the scam.

“The investigation into any allegations is not covered in the committee’s purview,” said Chitale in a letter to Vinod Tawde, leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council.
Chitale has written the letter in response to a letter Tawde had earlier written, asking whether the SIT could summon the officials involved in the alleged scam for an inquiry.

Tawde had made allegations of wrongdoing in the irrigation corporations based on documentary evidence. He had offered to cross-examine the signatories of the documents secured by him under the Right To Information (RTI) Act to examine the veracity of the documents.  

The SIT was set up on December 16, 2012. It is headquartered in Aurangabad.

The BJP had earlier sought that the SIT be set up under the Commissions of Inquiry Act of 1952 to grant it more powers.

@DNA