Mumbai: Despite being found guilty of irregularities by two successive State government-instituted committees, not even one government officer has faced action in the alleged Gosikhurd irrigation project scam in Vidarbha, said to be running into thousands of crores. In fact, many such officials have been promoted, while others have retired and are enjoying post-service benefits.
This, and the fact that the 33-year-old Gosikhurd project has achieved only 19% of its irrigated land target, were part of a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on the Water Resources Department, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly last week.
The irrigation scam was widely used by the BJP leadership to target the previous Congress-NCP government, and the NCP in particular. During the Assembly election campaign, BJP leaders had said those found guilty will be jailed if they were voted to power, but the PAC report shows that once in power, the BJP has taken no action against government officers implicated in departmental inquiries.
Incomplete after 33 years
The Gosikhurd Project was sanctioned in 1983 and was expected to be completed by March 1990, at a total expenditure of ₹372.22 crore. Through this project, 2,50,658 hectare was to be brought under irrigation. even after 33 years, it is still incomplete. The project cost has increased from ₹372.22 crore to ₹18,494.57 crore, and till December 2016, the government has spent ₹9,642.14 crore. Only 19% (49,238 hectare) of the intended land has been brought under irrigation.
While the project’s completion is nowhere in sight, farmers are yet to be compensated for land acquired from them for the project. In addition, 177 families are yet to be rehabilitated to ensure the project stores water to fullest of its capacity, and the ₹1,285.35 crore meant for this work is yet to be disbursed. The report also points out that as per the current planning, ₹8,852.42 crore will be spent in the next four years (2016-17 to 2019-20).
Committee reports ignored
The PAC report said the Mendhegiri and Vadnere Committees had conducted inquiries into the irregularities in the Gosikhurd project, and found 12 and 15 officials guilty respectively. The report said: “No action was taken against them till 2014, as a result of which some officers were even promoted. Since they were not suspended, they won an opportunity to change documents.”
Rejecting the Water Resources Department’s argument that the delay was due to the enormous time required to photocopy documents to be sent for hearings, the report said the committee does not believe this reason as the State government has digitised its working. It has recommended further action against the officers within next 15 days, and all post-retirement benefits for tainted officials who have retired be stopped immediately until the inquiry reaches a final stage. The report has also sought action against officers guilty of delaying action against the irrigation department officials.
