CM Devendra Fadnavis takes further aim at NCP in irrigation scam

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has indicated that more leaders from the opposition NCP are in trouble over the irrigation scam and that the government would not spare them. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal is already behind bars for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering case. That apart, NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare were also allegedly involved in the irrigation scam in the past.

“The inquiries into the irrigation projects are on. It takes a really long time. A chargesheet in a single matter is 2,000-2,500 pages long. We won’t spare anyone. Three people have now been arrested in the Balganga scam,” Mr Fadnavis told The Asian Age. The CM’s comment came in the backdrop of the arrest of three ex-officials from the water resources department in connection with the alleged scam in the Balganga irrigation project scam in the neighbouring Thane district. A Thane special court on Tuesday sent the former officials of the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation to magisterial custody till November 8.

Mr Fadnavis, before taking over the office of the CM, had already been aggressive in his stance against corruption two years ago. Sending corrupt politicians to jail had also been a part of the BJP’s campaign, and the CM said that he would keep the promise made during the elections.

Intending to streamline irrigation projects and accelerate pending work, Mr Fadnavis spoke about the initiatives taken by the BJP government. “We have acquired 16,476 ha of land in the past two years against 4,500 ha acquired by the previous government. We have given the highest compensation amount, i.e. five times, against the lands. We are going to take a loan of Rs 12,000 crore at a rate of 7 per cent from the NABARD to complete the pending projects,” he said.

A technical advisory committee was appointed for approval of the revised cost of the projects after the BJP government took over. “There were projects pending without the approval of the revised cost from 2009. We have streamlined the issue and speeded up the work,” Mr Fadnavis said.

However, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the party was ready for any inquiry. “We are not afraid of such statements made by the CM. Let him conduct an inquiry. We are ready for that. We also want that the truth comes out before the public,” Mr Malik said.