Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday announced that it will carry out an inspection of works under Jalyukta Shivar, a pet scheme of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, using its own machinery to expose irregularities. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray will make the formal announcement at a farmers’ rally in Nashik on May 19.
Sena leader and Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam, who first levelled the charges of corruption in the Jalyukta Shivar works in Ratnagiri district, said, “If such irregularities are present in one district, it is possible that similar things have happened at other places as well.”
Prior to the rally, farmers from different districts will voice their problems. “We will be asking Sena activists to visit the works under the scheme and inspect the quality. My son Yogesh has unearthed irregularities in Ratnagiri. I am sure there will be more,” said the minister.
Mr. Kadam took a dig at Water Resources Minister Ram Shinde, who on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into his allegations. Mr. Shinde had said that the Sena leader should have come directly to him instead of levelling charges in the media. “Why should I go to a junior minister like him with my problem? Secondly, I did not call the media, but the media had called me. I spoke with evidence. No one should tell me what to do,” he said.
As per the allegations, money has been disbursed in Ratnagiri’s Khed, Dapoli and Mandangad tehsils for works which do not exist. “We have video tapes which will be exposed at right time,” said Mr. Kadam.
