Maharashtra Assembly Q&A

Action to be Taken Against Irregularities in Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee – Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal

Mumbai : The High Court has granted a temporary stay on the disqualification decision of a director of the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee. The government will take appropriate action against irregularities in the market committee, said Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal during the Assembly’s Q&A session.

Minister Rawal stated that elections were held for the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee in 2019, resulting in a new board of directors. Some members were deemed ineligible and subsequently filed a petition in the High Court, which temporarily stayed their disqualification, allowing them to participate in meetings. However, since the matter is sub judice, these directors cannot participate in policy decisions, he added.

Member Gopichand Padalkar had raised a question regarding the irregularities in the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee.

Cotton Procurement to Be More Transparent and Efficient – Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal

Mumbai : The government is committed to ensuring minimum support prices for cotton farmers and is implementing measures to make the cotton procurement process more transparent and efficient, said Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal during the Q&A session in the Assembly.

Minister Rawal informed that 124 procurement centers have been set up across the state, and as of March 16, 142.69 lakh quintals of cotton have been procured, amounting to ₹10,000 crore. Procurement was halted for 15 days in February due to software hacking but has resumed. Cotton from registered farmers will be procured by March 15, and an extension will be considered for unregistered farmers.

He also stated that action would be taken against unauthorized cotton procurement centers in Chandrapur district. Member Amit Zanak had raised this issue, with members Nana Patole, Rohit Pawar, and Harish Pimple participating in the discussion.

Auditor Appointed to Investigate Irregularities in New Orange City Co-op Society – Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil

Mumbai : An audit report has revealed financial mismanagement involving depositors’ funds by the chairman of Nagpur’s New Orange City Urban Credit Co-op Society.

A special auditor has been appointed, and a report is expected within 15 days, said Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil during the Assembly’s Q&A session.

Member Prashant Thakur raised this issue, and members Yogesh Sagar, Nitin Raut, and Prakash Solanke also posed supplementary questions. Minister Patil further stated that an audit for 2021-22 highlighted the misappropriation, prompting a further audit for 2022-23 under the district registrar’s directive. Additionally, a test audit covering 2017-18 to 2021-22 has been ordered.

A cooperative department assistant registrar in Katol has been appointed to investigate complaints regarding the non-return of depositors’ funds, with an inquiry ongoing under Section 88.

Thorough Investigation into Ration Rice Scam Underway – Minister of State Yogesh Kadam

Mumbai : A truck carrying 30 tons of ration rice from Majalgaon (Beed district) to Nagpur was seized by police. A case has been registered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and a thorough investigation is ongoing, said Minister of State Yogesh Kadam during the Assembly’s Q&A session.

Member Vijay Wadettiwar raised the issue.

Minister Kadam stated that the Jalna District Collector has issued a show cause notice to the concerned party, and hearings are ongoing. A committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Supplies has been formed to investigate the scam, with a report expected within three months.