MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given his nod for probe against former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state NCP president Sunil Tatkare, in the alleged irrigation scam worth `26,000 crore.
The state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been asked to institute open inquiries against Pawar and Tatkare, in connection with alleged corruption and irregularities in execution of various irrigation projects, during their tenure as Water Resource Ministers.
Fadnavis also gave his approval to the ACB’s proposal to conduct an open inquiry into allegations of corruption and nepotism against former Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, in construction of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi and two other government buildings here, built under public-private partnership.
The government has also ordered probe against Irrigation Department officials and contractors responsible for the alleged irregularities.
“I have been authorised by the Chief Minister to state that he has cleared open inquiries by the ACB against Pawar, Tatkare and Bhujbal,” Advocate General Sunil Manohar told Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday.
A Division Bench of the court, comprising Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice V M Deshpande, recorded his statement and disposed of PILs demanding investigation. “When bigwigs are being probed, along with officials and contractors, there is no point in keeping these petitions pending,” the court observed.