PAC raps Maharashtra over negligible rise in irrigation potential

Negligible rise in State’s irrigation potential: PAC

* Seeks details of increase in area under irrigation

Staff Reporter
While the report of special inquiry team (SIT) appointed by the State Government to look into irrigation scam is likely to be submitted to the Government by December 31, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has touched the area. In its latest report, PAC of State Legislature has observed that increase in irrigation potential of the State has been negligible compared to huge expenditure of Rs 70,000 crore in past 15 years.
Scrutinising various aspects related to Water Resources Department (WRD), PAC quoted the Economic Survey of Maharashtra report tabled last year during budget session of State Legislature. The survey report stated that there was only 0.1 per cent increase in area under irrigation in past 15 years despite spending huge amount of Rs 70,000 crore. When PAC asked WRD about only 0.1 per cent increase in area under irrigation in last 15 years despite spending Rs 70,000 crore; the officials of WRD assured to provide relevant information ‘separately’.
PAC’s observation holds significance as it has come at a time when the political leaders are almost on the verge of forgetting the shocking episode of multi-crore irrigation scam. In its latest report tabled on December 17 during recently concluded winter session of State Legislature, PAC has observed that increase in irrigation potential of the State was ‘negligible’ compared to massive expenditure of Rs 70,000 crore. Taking the matter seriously, PAC has asked WRD to submit detailed information related to rise in irrigation potential of State before and after formation of various irrigation development corporations.
During its hearings, PAC asked the WRD officials about irrigation potential created before formation of irrigation development corporations. As per the PAC report, WRD officials claimed that irrigation potential created till June 1997 (before formation of irrigation development corporations) was 32.28 lakh hectares, and it increased to 48.25 lakh hectares till the end of June 2011. As per the records scrutinised by PAC, an amount of Rs 11,600 crore was spent on irrigation development before formation of irrigation development corporations, and Rs 53,500 after that.
It may be recalled here that negligible rise in creation of irrigation potential of the State had kicked up a political storm with Congress leader and Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan questioning the performance of WRD headed by leaders of ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Chavan even announced that the State Government would publish a ‘White Paper on Irrigation’ to make the picture clear.
Following that, ‘The Hitavada’ had run a series of reports titled ‘Black Paper on Irrigation’ exposing irrigation scam committed by an unholy nexus of contractors-bureaucrats-politicians. The expose on all-party loot shook up the corridors of power, and led to NCP stalwart and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tendering resignation as he was Water Resources Minister for most of the years referred to. Later on, Chavan relented and after announcement of a SIT headed by eminent water expert Dr Madhavrao Chitaley, Ajit Pawar returned to the seat of power as Deputy Chief Minister. Chitaley panel also was granted extension of six months earlier this year. The extension will come to an end on December 31. 

(Published in The Hitavada CityLine on December 26, 2013)

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