A cursory glance at the first information reports filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Balganga, Kondhane, Kalu and Gosikhurd irrigation projects scam leads one to the conclusion that it was a single private firm, which was calling the shots and not the cabinet members – Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare or high ranking bureaucrats. After a prolonged probe, ACB has registered criminal cases against retired officials of the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation and Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation. ACB is yet to decide if Pawar and Tatkare were involved in the scam despite the fact that in their capacity as head of the corporation, each and every tender was approved by them. Prima facie, it appears that officials of the water resources department, who were involved in the decision- making process, collaborated with the private firm or were acting on the instructions of their political masters. Otherwise, they would not have blindly cleared blatantly illegal proposals. In all the four cases, it was found that there was identical modus operandi to secure the contracts. After the contract was awarded, the height of the dam was increased suitably, resulting in massive cost escalation. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was then a powerful member of the opposition was the first to raise his voice against the tender process for the Kondhane irrigation project, followed by activist Anajli Damania, who filed a PIL in Bombay high court on irregularities and corruption in the irrigation department. When Fadnavis took over the reins, he had to act on his own demand for a probe into contracts running into thousands of crores. He ordered an open inquiry on December 12, 2014, but the progress of the probe is dismal owing to ACB’s lack of expertise and shortage of manpower. However, the charge-sheet has been filed in fast track courts for time-bound disposal.Unhappy over expulsionControversial BJP leader and former revenue minister Eknath Khadse has suddenly become more vocal than ever before. On the occasion of his birthday, he made it known to his followers in the presence of state BJP president Raosaheb Danve and agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar that he was very unhappy over the manner in which he was sacked from the cabinet despite the fact that there was no evidence against him. Khadse, one of the most powerful leaders in the BJP, was unceremoniously sacked from the cabinet in the wake of charges of land-grabbing. It was found that a prime piece of land in Pune MIDC was purchased by Khadse’s wife and son-in-law. Though he had claimed that there was nothing illegal in the deal, his rivals and Pune-based activists contended that Khadse had misused his official position as a revenue minister to procure land, which was already purchased by MIDC for setting up industrial units.Khadse was asked by the BJP leadership to submit his resignation and face a probe. Accordingly, Fadnavis appointed Justice D B Zoting to conduct an inquiry against Khadse. The retired judge has been asked to submit a report within three months. Till then there is no scope for Khadse to return to the cabinet.For a safe celebrationAdditional Commissioner of Police R D Shinde took a different kind of initiative for smooth sailing during the 10-day Ganesh festival. After a meeting held by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and another meeting called by the commissioner of police Datta Padsalgikar to review preparations for the festival and give out instructions, additional commissioners and DCPs hold similar meetings at their level. Besides a routine review, Shinde had called all the office bearers of Ganesh Mandals in the central region, legislators and municipal councilors for an interaction.Accompanied by zonal deputy commissioners Paramjit Dahiya and N Ambika, Shinde heard the issues raised by the elected representatives and office-bearers of all the mandals. Shinde made it clear to his subordinates and mandal office-bearers that no security lapse would be tolerated. He also resolved issues raised by the legislators and councillors on the spot.