Even as it tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly the report of the Chitale Committee, which probed the multicrore irrigation scam, the Congress-NCP government gave a clean chit to politicians in its Action Taken Report (ATR).
The ATR made no mention of politicians, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was Irrigation Minister between 1999 and 2009. He belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party.
The probe was initiated in 2012 after allegations of major irregularities in irrigation projects. The outcry led to Mr. Pawar’s resignation as Deputy Chief Minister. However, he was reappointed three months later.
The Chitale report itself lays the bulk of the blame on officers rather than politicians. It points out that investigating several irregularities were outside its terms of reference.
The report has only one line which points to the role of Mr. Pawar, though it does not name him. It says that in some cases of cost escalation, a revised approval for more funds was given in violation of rules.
“It was sanctioned despite being brought to the notice of the Governing Council. In such cases the responsibility lies with the members and the president of the Governing Council,” the report says. As Irrigation Minister during the period, Mr. Pawar headed the Governing Council.
While the report has asked the government to decide on the possible action, the ATR claims that the Governing Council had the power to sanction extra money till August 2009.
Eyewash: OppositionThe Opposition called the ATR eyewash to protect politicians. “We hope the government initiates criminal proceedings against those criticised in the report. Otherwise, we will consider going to court,” said State BJP president Devendra Fadnavis.
The report has pointed out major irregularities by project officers while granting Administrative Approvals (AA) for projects. In several cases, the AA was granted without finalising the design of the project, it says.
