Irrigation scam: Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar quits

September 25, 2012 17:13

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has resigned from his post over irregularities in awarding contracts for irrigation projects.

Reports published in a section of media had claimed that Pawar granted clearance to the projects worth Rs20,000 crore in a matter of three months in 2009.

The scam relates to awarding of tenders worth Rs 13,500 crore for projects in Vidarbha at exorbitant rates between 2006-09 when Ajit Pawar was water resources minister.

The allegation against the Maharashtra Deputy CM is that he tweaked the administrative process in such a way that every tender worth Rs 1 crore and above required his signature.

Defending Pawar, some senior NCP leaders blamed rivals and "vested interests" for stoking the controversy when the party is "rapidly" expanding its base to break the myth of it being a western Maharashtra phenomenon.

Home minister R R Patil said the party is aware of these "tactics". "People will soon know the truth and we are prepared to give a fitting reply," he said.

Rural development minister Jayant Patil echoed him. He said it seems NCP ministers are being targeted and forces opposed to the expansion of the NCP's sphere of influence could be behind it.

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