February 29, 2024 | Maharashtra: The Maharashtra state government, under Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has come under scrutiny for extending financial assistance to factories owned by leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This action has raised questions about possible favoritism and the misuse of public funds.
Cooperative factory owners associated with Ajit Pawar, Ashok Chavan, and other ruling party leaders have been granted substantial financial support. The Ashok Chavan Cooperative Factory in Laxmi Nagar, Nanded, has received an eye-watering amount of Rs. 147.79 crores in guarantees from the State Cooperative Bank. Additionally, financial aid has been extended to Kalyan Kale, Amarsingh Pandit, and Prashant Kate, who are known to support Ajit Pawar.
These actions have not gone unnoticed. Questions about impartiality and misuse of government resources have been raised by critics. Interestingly, while this financial support has been provided to certain political allies, similar assistance has been less forthcoming for factories belonging to leaders from opposition parties.
Among the factories benefiting from government support, the Sant Kurmadas Co-operative Factory in Padsali, Solapur, owned by Dhanajirao Sathe, has received Rs. 59.49 crores. The assistance extends to the Bhaurao Chavan Cooperative Factory in Laxmi Nagar, Nanded, with Rs. 147.79 crores, the Sant Kurumdas Cooperative Factory in Padsali, Solapur, with Rs. 59.49 crores, the Cooperative Shiromani Vasantrao Kale Cooperative Factory in Bhalwani Pandharpur, with Rs. 146.32 crores, the Chhatrapati Cooperative Sugar Factory in Bhawaninagar Indapur, with Rs. 128 crores, and the Jai Bhawani Cooperative Sugar Factory in Shivajinagar, Gevrai, Beed, with Rs. 150 crores.
Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have been quick to criticize the government’s actions. During the Congress government’s tenure, a package was announced for the farmers of Vidarbha. Opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray has reminded the public that the then-Agriculture Minister was from Maharashtra, indicating that the state has a history of supporting farmers. Modi’s alleged comments praising Sharad Pawar as the best agriculture minister have added to the political heat surrounding this issue.
This latest controversy has again put the state government’s priorities and handling of public funds under a magnifying glass. As political tensions continue to simmer, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these allegations.
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