ACB to probe Maharashtra irrigation scam involving Ajit Pawar

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has got state government's permission to initiate an open inquiry against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Sunil Tatkare in connection with alleged irregularities in irrigation projects during their tenures as Water Resources Minister.

It was  alleged in a complaint that  there were irregularities in 12 irrigation projects in which contracts were awarded by the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation (KIDC).

The complainant alleged that Pawar and Tatkare, during their stints as Water Resources Ministers, along with officials of the KIDC had allegedly favoured one group.

Going against the rules, the projects were started without land acquisition, forest clearances and rehabilitation of the project affected persons, the complainant alleged.

These acts of commission and omission led to delays and price escalation in most projects.

Earlier in June, the Maharashtra government had given clean chit to Pawar and Tatkare after tabling the report of Madhav Chitale committee on the issue.