Maha: Shinde-Fadnavis govt cancels tenders of water conservation dept

The Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government on July 8 cancelled the contracts for water conservation department worth Rs 5,020 crore.

Reportedly, the Water Conservation department secretary RH Bagde, on Friday, issued a page-long government resolution that stated no tenders should be issued from the 5,020 crores for 4,037 works.

For the financial year, the department had sanctioned Rs 6,191 crore for over 4,300 works including small projects of water conservation as well as widening of small rivers.

Reversal of MVA Decisions

This is the third major Maha Vikas Aghadi government decision that the new government reversed.

Shinde-Fadnavis government, a day after they sworn-in, reversed the shifting of Matro 3 car shed. Former CM Uddhav Thackeray had decided to shift the car shed to Kanjurmarg from Aarey which Fadnavis vehemently oppoesed.

The new govrnment later stayed allotments of Rs 13,340 meant for district planning and development committees.

The reversals are a shock since the new government had assured none of the MVA government decisions will taken back unless essential.

Jalyukt Shivar To Be Restarted

Deputy CM, however, has announced revival of his pet Jalyukt Shivar project. Jalyukt Shivar project was proposed during Fadnavis' tenure as the CM in 2014-19 which fell through when MVA government took charge.

Under the conservation scheme, Fadnavis-led government had proposed deepening and widening of water bodies, constructuion of small earthern dams and digging of farm ponds in a bid to make Maharashtra drought free.

However, an open inquiry was ordered after a CAG report casted doubts regarding the effectiveness. The panel headed by retired bureaucrat had submitted a report which highlighted irregularities of the project in 2021.