IT documents prove politicians took money in irrigation contracts: Medha Patkar

MUMBAI: Social activist Medha Patkar has alleged that Income Tax department's assessment of an infrastructure company, has revealed that the contractors who built some irrigation projects in Maharashtra gave large amounts of money to many politicians in order to win those contracts. Ms. Patkar demanded a commission of inquiry to investigate this case.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Medha Patkar said "Income tax department's assessment report prepared on the basis of documents seized from an infrastructure company, shows details of some politicians who were given money by irrigation project contractors. Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Former state minister and Congress leader Sunil Deshmukh, Former BJP President Nitin Gadkari and BJP leader Gopinath Munde's names feature among others, in this list of beneficiaries. These payments are termed in the documents as 'speed money'. In some cases it is in a few lakhs while in some other cases it is in crores".

"It is clear that some bidders have given money to politicians in order to get contracts for irrigation projects. National Alliance of People's movements demands that a commission of inquiry should be set up to investigate this scam," Ms.Patkar added.