State denies charge of funds misuse in irrigation projects

Maharashtra government today denied the allegation in a PIL that funds received from the Centre for irrigation projects were misused, and stated that it had formed a special investigation team to examine the progress of incomplete irrigation projects and the use of funds.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah took on record an affidavit filed by the state and adjourned the matter to February 13.
The affidavit said that the SIT, headed by Madhav Chitale, a water expert and former Secretary of Union Irrigation Ministry, would also go into the reasons for delay in completion of projects, fix responsibility and suggest action.

The SIT was formed in June and its term would get over by December 31 this year, the affidavit filed by Haribhau Dhangare, Joint Secretary, Water Resources, said.
The PIL, filed by Narsinha Ganpatrao Kadam, a farmer, alleges malpractices and delay in completion of irrigation projects and seeks appointment of experts to monitor water management and irrigation schemes in Maharashtra. It seeks a direction to authorities to submit accounts regarding funds received from the Centre for irrigation schemes.
Denying the allegations, the affidavit said in the last three years, 500 irrigation projects were completed and another 140 were planned to be executed in 2013-14.

A regular audit is carried out by CAG and report is placed before the State Legislature, the affidavit said.
The state received Rs 11,069 crore from the Centre from 1996-97 till March 2013. Forty major-medium projects were completed with central funds, the affidavit says.