Sunil Tatkare
6 October 2012. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought permission to launch a public probe against the irrigation minister, Sunil Tatkare, over land grab and disproportionate assets allegations. The ACB has completed a discreet inquiry and found sufficient evidence to have a public enquiry so that it can call for official files and, if required, summon Tatkare for questioning. Tatkare is accused of grabbing 7,500 acres of farmland by creating front companies. He is accused of misusing his power and authority, as the state water resources and irrigation minister, to grant arbitrary sanctions for irrigation projects. ACB officials said the prolonged official inaction shows lack of political will in the government. As it is, a sanction file needs to travel through a long, winding route—first through the home department to the general administration department to secretaries of the departments concerned to the chief secretary and finally to the chief minister. Worst of all, there is no independent mechanism to expedite or assist in the process. The officials said that two months would be adequate to study the case properly and give its approval. If it takes more than two months it means that it is a deliberate action to thwart the investigations.
