Ahmedabad, 5 August 2012

Reacting to leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil’s allegations that Gujarat government is protecting Hindustan Construction Company(HCC) State’s Water supply minister Nitin Patel today said the leader of opposition is lying and misleading the people of Gujarat through baseless allegations.

“It was Narmada Nigam that took initiative to go to district court and division bench when progress of work was not found as per contract. Not only this but state govt also canceled the contract on 10 May 2012. Deposit worth Rs 26,17,11,000 was forfeited. No one was protected or favored thus,” minister Nitin Patel said.

“Contractor told us the reasons behind slow progress of construction work, and gave assurance that the works will be completed. The contractor firm challenged Narmada nigam’s 10th May, 2012 decision of canceling the contract in High Court and gave assurance to complete the work. Thus in this case, Narmada Nigam has done everything that has to be done as per the contract terms. Chief Minister’s office has not intervened in this issue, and has not given any instruction. Contractor has been penalized for flow pace of work. And he has challenged govt’s action which shows that Nigam has done procedure against contractor. The case is going on in the High Court and the matter is subjuidice,” Patel further said.

He added that instead of extending cooperation to the state government, the opposition has always obstructed Narmada project work.

He said recently when two central ministers Sharad Pawar and Jairam Ramesh visited Gujarat to review drought condition in Gujarat, the Chief Minister told them about centre’s opposition to raise the height of Narmada project’s gate. Even after three days, why leader of opposition doesn’t react to this and use his influence when his party is ruling in centre?

Nitin Patel further said that Saurashtra branch canal’s Malia and Valbhipur branch canals supply 80-90 crore liter daily. Recently water has been supplied in first 30 km length of Limbdi branch canal. Structures and gate works are in progress in 30 to 117.74 km length. This work would be completed soon and by October-November 2012 it willy carry water as per the plan. Works at Dhrangadhra branch canal are in progress on war foot basis. This work will be completed by October-November 2012 and daily 40 crore liter water will be supplied through this canal.

Patel said that leader of opposition wants to provoke drought affected people of Saurashtra and wants to discredit the state government for political gains.

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