Mumbai, March 11 Divisional Commissioner of Nashik, Pravin Gedam, will head an investigation into alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land for a national highway in Muktainagar in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in the assembly on Wednesday.
The move comes after concerns were raised over farmers not receiving compensation despite their names being recorded by officials. The investigation announcement was made during a discussion in the assembly on a calling attention notice.
Bawankule said a report on the investigation by Gedam, an IAS officer, will be sought in three months.
Mangesh Chavan (BJP) and Chandrakant Patil (Shiv Sena) claimed that former minister Eknath Khadse, now an NCP (SP) MLC, was involved in the alleged irregularities.
Bawankule clarified that no financial compromise has occurred so far in the project's execution and asserted that there is no evidence of attempts to defraud farmers.
The investigation will cover six key departmental sections, including clerical, stamping, printing, and land records managed by talathi (a revenue department official), the minister told the assembly.
He assured that any gaps or irregularities identified during the investigation will be addressed promptly.