CM misguided people about irrigation scam inquiry: Vinod Tawde

AURANGABAD: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan deceived the people by not setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the irrigation scam, which he promised, would be set up during the winter session, BJP leader Vinod Tawde said.

"We will approach the court to demand a CBI inquiry into the matter," he told reporters at the Subhedari Guest House here on Wednesday.

"Allegations by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray that the government is not taking action on the irrigation scam as the opposition and treasury bench have an 'understanding' is false. I would like to inform that the BJP had brought the scam to fore," he said, replying to a question.

He alleged that the drought like situation in Marathwada is not due to lack of rainfall, but due to poor planning, adding that the state government had turned Marathwada into "tanker-wada", as thousands of tankers are used daily to supply people with drinking.

After touring the region, he said he concluded that the situation is grim and would worsen in the coming days. He alleged that the government supplies water as per population figures of 2001 and not 2011.

He said that some elements like the fodder mafia take full advantage of the situation and make money out of the grim situation.

Answering another question about the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), he said "Narega karega toh marega, aur nahi karega toh bhi marega," adding that it is merely an eyewash