SIT team for multi-crore irrigation irregularities announced

The Maharashtra government late on Monday night announced the other members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the multi crore irrigation irregularities and asked them to submit their report in six months.

The team headed by water expert Madhav Chitale will now have former addititional chief secretary finance A K D Jadhav, retired irrigation secretary V M Ranade and former agriculture commissioner Krishna Lavekar. The committee is a fact finding committee expected to look into nine aspects related to some of the allegations made regarding various irrigation projects in the state.

The committee which will be headquartered in Aurangabad will look into reasons for difference in targeted and achieved irrigable area, causes of irrigable area in terms of projects, wells, increased ground water, etc, examining if existing norms and rules were followed whil approvong revised costs, citing reasons for delays, along with recommending measures to complete projects in deadline. The committee will also fix responsibility and suggest actions against those found guilty of any irregularities.

Government had assured SIT probe in the scam. NCP leader Ajit Pawar had resigned from the state cabinet after reports of irregularities emerged last year.

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