Govt puts on hold irrign works worth Rs 1,000 cr


By Kartik Lokhande
The new State Government is keeping its word on scanning the tenders and contracts issued in the last days of erstwhile Democratic Front (DF) Government and during the period before the current Government took over. It has decided to ‘put on hold’ works worth Rs 1,000 crore relating to different irrigation projects in the State. 

Confirming the development, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan told ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday that works relating to different projects were ‘stayed’. The tender process had been started in the tenure of erstwhile DF Government, and the officials had gone further during the period when there was President’s Rule in Maharashtra. The collective worth of these works is over Rs 1,000 crore. 

Asked about the break-up of works, he said that these were relating to various projects under the jurisdictions of all the irrigation development corporations. “These are all pre-qualification tenders. We have put on hold these tenders, and are examining the processes that were followed,” Mahajan said. 

Sources said that information was still being compiled about the number of tenders that were still to be approved by competent authority. It is widely believed in irrigation sector that certain ministers used to decide the fate of pre-qualification tenders. Against the backdrop of irrigation scam that involved unholy nexus of contractors-bureaucrats-politicians, the new Government has taken up the task of examining the gaps that provided scope for siphoning of of funds meant for irrigation development. Recently, it has taken several measures aimed at effecting reforms in Water Resources Department. It has appointed various committees to look after segments requiring reforms.

Meanwhile, in yet another step, the Government has decided to focus on projects with more than 75 per cent of the work done. This is being done to avoid thinning of resources and expedite completion of projects with maximum works done. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by eminent water expert Dr Madhavrao Chitaley had suggested in its report that the projects with 25 per cent or less work done, should be kept on wait. The Government’s step appears to be in tune with Chitaley Committee’s recommendation.

According to sources, there are 90 irrigation projects with more than 75 per cent of work done. Besides, there are 122 projects of which work has been done to the extent of 50-75 per cent. However, the policy is likely to affect projects in rainfed region of Vidarbha as it has maximum number of projects of which less than 25 per cent of work has been completed. 

(13-12-14)

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