Pawar flays CM on irrigation capacity

“The irrigation capacity in the year 2003-04 was 17 lakh hectares which by 2011-12 has increased to 29.6 lakh hectares. In 2003-04 the state had collected Rs 378 crore as water tax,while this year the amount had doubled to Rs 740 crore. The increase is despite the water tax waivers for well irrigation. The water tax rate has remained constant over the years which indicates that the irrigation capacity has gone up,” said Pawar,who had held the irrigation portfolio for nearly 10 years from 1999 to 2009.

On Friday,Chavan had called for a white paper on irrigation projects in the state over the last decade thus offending NCP which has been controlling the department for 13 years now. Chavan’s statement came in the backdrop of allegations by the opposition that cost escalation in irrigation projects should be probed.

“The opposition is making baseless allegations regarding the irrigation capacity. Taking note of these allegations the chief minister has directed the department to come up with a white paper. This will misled the people,” Pawar said.