‘Probe officials clinging to irrigation posts for years’

The irrigation scam that has rocked the state has led Pune-based NGO Surajya Sangharsh Samiti to make a fresh demand to look into the issue of many senior officials of the irrigation department continuing in their posts beyond their usual tenures.

The Samiti had earlier written to the chief minister and the chief secretary regarding irrigation officials not getting transferred even after nine to 10 years in the same positions.

Samiti president Vijay Kumbhar said, "It is not just about projects but questions can be raised about officials who hold senior positions in the department for more than nine to ten years."

Kumbhar, in his letter, had said the actual culprits in the scam will be exposed if a probe is conducted into this aspect. In his letter to the CM sent in June, he said there was a need to check how senior officials managed to evade mandatory transfers. He alleged political pressure was at play.

"There is a term for all officers and it is surprising that they continue to hold their positions for years,'' said Kumbhar, alleging that a longer tenure led to chances of malpractice.

Instead of just investigating projects, it is necessary to check this aspect as well, he said. He said he had received no reply to his letter but had come to know that the letter had been forwarded to the CM's office. He alleged that officials holding key positions in the department for a decade made it obvious they were part of the scam.

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