Water conservation minister for state Tanaji Sawant on Monday admitted that there have been irregularities in as many as 1,300 works under the government's flagship 'Jalyukta Shivar' water conservation programme. Admitting that around 1,300 complaints have been received regarding the Rs 13,000 crore Jalyukt Shivar scheme, he said that water conservation department has sought an open inquiry in this matter. "Complaints have been filed with the water conservation department about irregularities in some 1,300 works under the Jalyukta Shivar scheme. Prima facie, there is truth in those complaints," Sawant said while responding to a question raised by NCP member Vidya Chavan in the state Legislative Council. Opposition parties demanded an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in these 1,300 works allotted under the scheme. Dhananjay Munde, NCP MLC and Leader of Opposition in state legislative council said that finally, the government has admitted that there is corruptions in Jalyukt Shivar. "We want the ACB inquiry and third-party audit of all Rs 13,000 crore projects under Jalyukt Shivar. The government should not defend the corrupt officials," said Munde. Rejecting the demand for an ACB probe, Sawant said, "The director of agriculture department has been appointed to conduct a detailed inquiry. Thus, it is inappropriate to order an ACB inquiry in watershed management projects under Jalyukt Shivar." He also cited the issue as "technically critical" as grounds to reject the demand for an ACB probe. Munde then suggested that two separate agencies can continue parallel probes without affecting the investigation's pace. "The minister cannot reject the demand for a probe when there has been an official complaint against such works," he said. Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar then intervened and cited some previous cases where parallel probes were conducted by different agencies. Nimbalkar later asked the state government to submit its response in the House before the end of the ongoing monsoon session. Munde said that Jalyukt Shivar scheme was implemented for the contractors only. "We have got documentary proof on how the corruption has eaten into this ambitious scheme. The scheme is completely driven by contractors for contractors. The same watershed management work was carried out again and again at the same place. The officials and contractors are working hand in glove. The government needs to unearth this scam by ACB. The guilty has to be published," Munde demanded. Oppn demands ACB probe Leader of Opposition in the House Dhananjay Munde then demanded an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in these 1,300 works allotted under the scheme. However, water conservation minister for state Tanaji Sawant rejected the demand for an ACB probe, citing that the issue was “technically critical” —(With inputs from Agencies)

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