Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP on Wednesday strongly pressed their demand in the legislature for the establishment of special investigation team (SIT) to inquire into the multi crore irrigation scam. They have already rejected state government's much debated white paper on the irrigation sector and countered it by releasing a black paper. The opposition had contested the government's claim in the white paper that the irrigation potential rose by 28 per cent and not mere 0.1 per cent as observed by the Economic Survey during 1999 and 2009 after spending Rs 70000 crore.
On the other hand the Congress and NCP put a brave show and attacked the opposition for raising the issue without using the proper legislative rules. NCP spokesman Shashikant Shinde told Business Standard "The opposition was not at all serious to discuss several issues related to the Vidarbha region instead wants to disturb the legislative proceedings by raking non serious issues. The government is prepared to face opposition's attack on the irrigation issue."
On the other hand, leader of opposition in the state assembly Eknath Khadse insisted that a comprehensive probe by SIT into the alleged scam in the irrigation sector was quite essential as the white paper has not touched upon irregularities and alleged nexus between contractors, ministers and government employees.
Khadse's counterpart Vinod Tawde from the state council said that entire opposition was united on the formation of SIT to probe irrigation scam. "It is quite surprising why Ajit Pawar, who has rejoined as deputy chief minister last week, was avoiding any probe when he had categorically announced that he was not power hungry and was prepared for any inquiry.We will not allow other business to take place in the state council till the government agrees to our demand and sets up SIT."
Earlier, the proceedings of the state assembly were completed amidst slogan shouting and din when opposition pressed for its demand for the establishment of SIT. However, the presiding officer Nawab Malik rejected opposition's move saying that such a subject cannot be raised without a proper notice and completed the day's business.
