Minister admits irregularities in 'Jalyukta Shivar' scheme

Maharashtra minister 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.

The water conservation minister was responding to a question raised by NCP member Vidya Chavan in the state Legislative Council.

"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 in the House.

"The water conservation department has sought an open inquiry in this matter, and it is being conducted by joint director for water and soil conservation," he added.

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, Sawant rejected the demand for an ACB probe, citing that the issue was "technically critical".

Munde then ...