With prominent leaders making headlines without a break, the issue of irrigation projects in Maharashtra — their cost, quality of work and diversion of land — has become an issue of intense national debate. All eyes and ears are now on the much-awaited and debated white paper, announced by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

For a layman, wherever there is politics and government there has to be something fishy and intent of corruption. The perception cannot be termed as altogether extreme as the system of governance has become alien to him. So, after the infamous Adarsh housing society scam, sleaze in the irrigation sector may prove a watershed moment in the state history, and a lesson in the state governance.