The BRICS TimesMaharashtra government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), chaired by Sharad Pawar. Rohit Pawar immediately slammed the move, calling it a clear political conspiracy against the institution.
VSI Under Scrutiny
The Minister Committee, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, ordered an inquiry into the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI). Sharad Pawar currently chairs this prominent research institute. VSI primarily focuses on research for sugarcane cultivation and related products. The state government’s mandate ensures a deduction of one rupee per tonne from all sugarcane growers’ bills. This collected amount goes directly to the Vasantdada Sugar Institute.
Furthermore, the state government has granted various subsidies to the institution since 2009. The government now seeks to verify the proper use of these grants for their intended purpose. The Sugar Commissioner of the state must complete this inquiry within two months. A detailed report must then be submitted to the government. Senior leaders are on the regulatory board of the VSI. They include Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Harshvardhan Patil, and Jaiprakash Dandegaonkar, along with Sharad Pawar.
Ministerial Committee Deliberations
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a Minister Committee meeting. The meeting focused on the planning for the sugarcane crushing season. There was an extensive discussion on the grants provided to the VSI during this crucial meeting. Currently, sugar mills deduct one rupee per tonne of sugarcane crushing for VSI. However, questions arose regarding the actual use of this fund. It is unclear if the funds were strictly for Research and Development (R&D) purposes. Therefore, the government decided to conduct a thorough probe into the fund’s utilization. The meeting also covered other issues. These included cane season planning, farmer rates, and factory operations.
Two-Month Deadline for Report Submission
The Minister Committee, led by CM Fadnavis, decided to form a special inquiry committee. The Sugar Commissioner will head this committee. The committee must complete the investigation and submit its report within two months. The government will decide on the future course of action based on this report. This inquiry order immediately sparked intense political discussions. Sharad Pawar is the institute’s chairman. Several senior leaders, including Ajit Pawar, are also involved in its management.
Rohit Pawar’s Strong Counterattack
Rohit Pawar stated that they had given evidence of many issues to the government. “However, the Chief Minister did not investigate any of them,” he said. Cases like Santosh Deshmukh, Mahadev Munde, and Hagwane did not receive justice. The Vasantdada Sugar Institute has done excellent work in the agricultural sector. VSI is the main reason for the strong cooperative sector in Maharashtra. “This institute performed outstandingly under Pawar Saheb’s guidance,” he added. Ajit Dada also made a great contribution. He emphasized, “This institution is above politics. People from all parties work here.”
Is Ajit Pawar Being Targeted?
Rohit Pawar further questioned the government’s motives. “VSI is a trust, and everyone has praised its work,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself attended an event there. “When the Prime Minister visits an institute, his office thoroughly studies it,” he noted. “Why are these people suddenly upset now? This is beyond comprehension,” he wondered. He specifically asked, “Is Ajit Dada being indirectly targeted?” Finally, he concluded that the BJP’s policy is ‘use and throw.’ “The same attitude is visible here now,” he stated. Amit Shah himself said they do not need ‘crutches.’ This refers to the two allies (Ajit Pawar and Shinde faction). They may soon lose their people and their party.
Vasantdada Sugar Institute’s Stand
The Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) presented its side. They stated that they are facing false propaganda. “People are trying to show that we are being killed or martyred,” they said. However, the government has not started any investigation into VSI. They clarified that the decision was only to gather information on deducted funds. The Sugar Commissioner requested details of the one rupee deducted per tonne of sugarcane. “Some people are trying to show fake documents,” they alleged. They asked, “Who created the PAN card? Will you apologize for providing false documents to the Maharashtra Government?”
