Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Irrigation Scam : File reply to PIL against SIT: High court to govt

The Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to file a reply on a public interest litigation, challenging the state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the multi-crore irrigation scam.

The PIL filed by social worker Uttamrao Ghatule has sought appointment of a judicial commission to probe the scam or hand over investigations to the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI).

Advocate Machindra Patil, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the SIT, led by water expert Dr Madhav Chitale, comprises several IAS officers. It will not be able to conduct an impartial inquiry against its own officers. Hence, a judicial commission needs to be set up or the probe should be handed over to CBI.

Division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice AV Mohta adjourned the hearing and directed the state government to file its affidavit within four weeks.

According to the PIL, it needs to be found out the exact cost of dam projects, expenditure incurred by state departments and how much fund was misused.

“Since 2000- 2001, around Rs70,000 crore was spent by the state irrigation department on various projects. However till date, the irrigation department has deliberately and intentionally not completed the projects,” the PIL alleges.
DNA Correspondent
Published Date:  Jan 08, 2013
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=36158&boxid=15154&ed_date=2013-01-08&ed_code=820009&ed_page=2

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