The state government informed the Bombay high court on Thursday that the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated an open inquiry against 12 dam projects in Raigad district for alleged irregularities.
The state government informed the Bombay high court on Thursday that the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated an open inquiry against 12 dam projects in Raigad district for alleged irregularities.
Four officers already suspended
An affidavit was filed by Dr Sanjay Belsare, superintendent engineer and deputy secretary, water resources department, stating that as per the recommendations of the Chitale committee, the government has initiated a departmental enquiry (DE) of the concerned officers/employees responsible for irregularities in the Kondhane dam project in May 2014. Four of the erring officers have already been suspended.
Forest will be destroyed, PIL says
The HC was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Aam Aadmi Party leader Mayank Gandhi and others alleging irregularities in the awarding and construction of the dam. The PIL contended that hundreds of acres of forests will be affected by this project which does not even have the requisite permission from the environment ministry. Also, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had issued a stop-work notice on the project as it was affecting some caves in the vicinity, contended the PIL.
Most of panel's recommendations accepted
The government had formed a special inquiry committee headed by former secretary Madhavrao Chitale and comprising three other members to probe into irrigation scams across the state. The affidavit states that the petitioners submitted the documents and were heard by the committee.
The government has accepted most of the recommendations of the Chitale committee. It has recommended a detailed enquiry by an appropriate authority in respect of Kondhane and Chanera projects in Raigad. It has also initiated a detailed inquiry into four other projects through the vigilance unit of the water resources department.
'No payments till project shelved'
Further, the government has not revised administrative approval to the Kondhane project. “However, as the work of Kondhane project was started in violation of administrative approval, the KIDC was directed to rescind the contract. No payment shall be made to the contract till the project is removed from shelf with due approval of the governor,” reads the affidavit.
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