HC deals new blow to CM’s pet project

In a yet another embarrassment to the Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis over his dream project – Jalyukta Shivar, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed his government to re-consider forming of an Expert Committee. The HC had earlier asked the government to constitute a Committee that can re-look into the entire scheme and its implementation.

The direction came from a division bench presided over by Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by noted economist Professor Hiralal Desarda.

During the hearing, advocate Abhinandan Vagyani appearing for the government, informed the bench that an Expert Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer – Umakant Dangat.

Raising objections on the appointment of Dangat as the chairperson of the Committee, senior counsel Ashutosh Kumbhakoni informed the bench that he (Dangat) was connected to this scheme.

Kumbhakoni said Dangat had implemented the Jalyukta Shivar scheme in Marathwada region when he was Divisional Commissioner.

After hearing the submissions, Justice Oka said, “When we say that there must be a retired public servant with expertise in this field it means that the person should not be connected to this scheme in any manner. There are so many experts out but we fail to understand that why you could not find anyone else.”