Water management expert Madhav Chitale, who heads the special investigation team (SIT) set up by the Maharashtra government over the alleged irrigation scam, has clarified that he did not have power to investigate officials. “You are well aware about the working parameters of the SIT. I have attached the government orders along with this letter. As per the guidelines, SIT is not empowered to probe any allegations (in the irrigation scam),” he said, in a letter to Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde. Set up last December, the SIT is a four-member body headquartered in Aurangabad, and has been asked to submit its report in six months. Chitale wrote to Tawde in response to a query by the BJP leader, who wanted to know if officials and individuals involved in the alleged scam could be examined. “I have documents obtained through RTI to support allegations of irregularities,” Tawde had said in a letter to Chitale. “I would like you to enlighten me on whether you have the powers to summon and cross examine officials/individuals,” Tawde wrote. Information that SIT needed was to be routed through departments recommended by the government, Chitale added. PTI
