Report on corruption in Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation missing
25 Sep, 2013In 1999, the former Pune superintendent of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), SN Mushriff, submitted a report regarding corruption in Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC). MKVDC is the agency that implements dam projects in Western Maharashtra, and has been embroiled in allegations of financial irregularities in irrigation projects. It has been reported that no action had been taken by the government on the findings of the report.
The chief information commissioner of Maharashtra state information commission (SIC) Mr Ratnakar Gaikwad had ordered an inquiry under section 18(2) Where the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter, it may initiate an inquiry in respect thereof. of the Right to Information (RTI) Act last week when it emerged during the hearing of an appeal filed by RTI activist Popat Kurne that the report was missing. The SIC directed Raj Khilnani, the ACB chief, to conduct the inquiry.
The report had pointed out the pre-qualification norms introduced before the tender was passed to award the contracts to selected firms. The nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and contractors led to favouritism by manipulation of tender notices. For qualification, bogus certificates of work-done were furnished by some contractors while no tenders were issued in some cases. Sub-standard computers were bought which were not as per required specifications.
The deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had to step down from his post following media reports earlier. Loss of the report has led to suspicions of foul play.
Some of the projects involved are:
1. Dhom Balkawadi Project, Satara district (cost Rs. 100 crore)
2. Temghar Project, Pune district (cost Rs. 160 crore)
3. Jambhoree Project, Kolhapur district (cost Rs. 40 crore)
4. Ujani canal in Solapur district (Rs. 3 crore)
5. Kudal canal in Satara district (Rs. 4 crore)
6. Takari case in Sangli district