Plea seeks CBI probe into irrigation projects

A Thane-based activist in a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has demanded an investigation with respect to alleged irregularities in various irrigation projects in Maharashtra.

The activist,Pravin Wategaonkar,has cited a speech of CM Prithviraj Chavan,in which he is reported to have said that from 2000-01 to 2009-10,the state government spent about Rs 70,000 crore on irrigation projects,whereas the irrigation potential has increased by only a marginal 0.1per cent.

Wategaonkar demands that the CBI should take cognisance of the matter and invoke the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988 and relevant sections of IPC. His letter cites reports of the CAG on the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation,Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation and the Gosikhurd Irrigation Project in Bhandara district in Vidarbha