Opposition finds weapon in Vidarbha irrigation scam

The legislative council was on Tuesday rocked by allegations of massive corruption in the irrigation department.

Opposition members alleged the presence of a massive scam running into Rs1,000 crore in irrigation projects in Vidarbha. The house was also adjourned for two minutes after Opposition members objected to a member of the treasury benches “glaring” at them during the discussion.

The adjournment took place after Opposition members said the water resources minister Sunil Tatkare was trying to shield six officials, who were responsible for the scam in an irrigation project at Jeegaon in Buldhan district. Tatkare has been accused of grabbing land in the Konkan region in the name of his family and associates and through shell companies.

BJP member Pandurang Phundkar raised the matter through a calling  motion, saying there was a massive scam in irrigation projects in Vidarbha and demanded action. He said the executive engineers had awarded the projects to firms at inflated costs.

Tatkare said the contracts have been awarded by following the procedure but added that a committee was probing the matter and action would be taken against those found guilty.

But this did not pacify Opposition leader Vinod Tawde. “He should order a probe by the police’s Economic Offence Wing right away,” he said.

Peoples and Workers’ Party member Jayant Patil said all 16 companies who got contracts for the irrigation proje cts are owned by one person and demanded that the executive engineers and others involved in awarding the contracts be suspended immediately.

Tatkare said appropriate action would be taken against the guilty as per the rules of law and an action taken report (ATR) would be tabled in the house. However, members were not convinced and insisted that action be taken immediately.

At this point, NCP member Vinayak Mete stood up and raised a point of order, and looked angrily at the Opposition members. The Opposition members objected to Mete glaring at them, and began shouting at him. Davkhare adjourned the house for two minutes.

After the house reassembled, Tatkare promised the members that if a scam was found after examining the Wadhere Committee report, action would be taken against the executive engineers and others involved.

He promised action against retired engineers, too, if they were found guilty.