Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ pet micro irrigation project “Jalyukta Shivar” has become the latest bone of contention between ruling allies, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. After Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray levelled allegations of corruption, water conservation minister and BJP leader Ram Shinde has termed them baseless.
Mr Fadnavis has extended all support for implementation of the scheme. Looking at this, Mr Thackeray has played it smart by alleging corruption in the implementation of the scheme. The Sena chief has cited examples from Khed, Dapoli and Mandangad taluka, Ratnagiri district, Konkan.
Environment minister Ramdas Kadam alleged that Nationalist Congress Party’s Sanjay Kadam and a few officers from agriculture and other departments in these districts released tender amounts sans completion of the project. After going through these claims, Mr Shinde asked officers to investigate the matter and submit a report.
Mr Shinde also said that it was the duty of the guardian minister, in this case Sena’s Ravindra Waikar, to look into the quality of works being done under the scheme. In a way, Mr Shinde called Mr Kadam’s bluff by pointing fingers at the guardian minister. On Wednesday, Mr Kadam gave a strong rebuttal saying, “He (Mr Shinde) is childish. We know whose duty it is to check. But more than the guardian minister, the scheme falls under his department. He should investigate all similar matters and take action.”
“Jalyukta Shivar” is being projected as a success story of the Fadnavis-led government. Hence, levelling allegations at its implementation is in a way attacking BJP’s reputation.
