Kapil Dave, TNN Aug 6, 2013, 01.45PM IST AHMEDABAD: In response to the recent letter from Gujarat chief minister addressing the PM and demanding 90% funds for canals of SardarSarovar Project, the leader of opposition of Gujarat state assembly ShankersinhVaghela has stated that the Gujarat CM has been playing the blame game instead of concentrating on serious mismanagement of the Narmada department of the state headed by himself for last twelve years.
Issue of commissioning of gates over the Narmada dam was with the Narmada Control Authority and the matter was stuck up on the issue of rehabilitation of displaced people which was supposed to be made by the state government but the Gujarat CM used to curse the PM to attain political mileage.
Vaghela has cited the CAG reports clearly pointing out misappropriation of the central assistance already granted by the Government of India.
The Government of India provides central assistance in the form of AIBP (Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme) for construction of the canal systems in different states and Gujarat has been given no less than Rs 3000 crores in last six years for the Sardar Sarovar Project but the same have not been properly spent for the same purpose which has triggered serious consequences in the form of administrative bottlenecks in availing the central funds for the subsequent years, for which corrupt Gujarat state government is responsible.
Gujarat government Spokespersons Nitin Patel and Saurabh Patel rejecting the claims of Vaghela said that allegation of LOP are baseless. Both said that Gujarat government has spent Rs 4720 crore for canal construction in last three years and got only Rs.1647 crore from the Government of India.
