IRRIGATION-LD MAHA 2 LAST

"There were court cases filed in connection with the 14 "There were court cases filed in connection with the 14irrigation projects. Several irregularities were found inawarding of the contracts," the minister said, adding majorityof the contracts in Konkan and Nashik were awarded to onecompany. Earlier this month, the ACB had filed a charge sheetagainst 10 people before a district court in Thane inconnection with the Balganga irrigation scam. The ACB slapped various sections of IPC for cheating andfraud, besides the provisions of the Prevention of CorruptionAct 1988 against the accused. Though the charge sheet did not name Ajit Pawar, it hadsought further permission to investigate the deals whichdirectly involved him. When contacted, Damania said "Most of the projects wereunviable or unnecessary. The cost benefit ratio was beyondpermissible limits. Designs were faulty and with an annualbudget of only Rs 7,000 crore for irrigation works, work needto be prioritised. "This government should first consider all these pointsbefore showing the haste for re-tendering. They should not gothe NCP way." PTI VT MM NRB NSKSMJ