Maharashtra irrigation scam: Tighter norms for cost escalations

The alleged Rs. 70,000-crore irrigation scam, which had rocked the Maharashtra assembly last year, and had led to a public blame game between alliance partners Congress and the NCP, has resulted in the government tightening norms for cost escalations in such projects. Ketaki Ghoge reports.

The alleged Rs. 70,000-crore irrigation scam, which had rocked the state assembly last year, and had led to a public blame game between alliance partners Congress and the NCP, has resulted in the government tightening norms for cost escalations in such projects.

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Under a new order issued on June 10, the water resources department has made it mandatory for project revisions that lead to an increase of 1% or more in the live water storage of the dam, or 10% increase or more in the area which the dam will benefit, to get two clearances — from the state technical advisory committee and the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority — before they are put before the state for sanction.