Maharashtra's Deep Dive into Sugar Fund Utilization

The Maharashtra government has set sights on probing fiscal appropriations at the Pune-based Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), a prominent player in the state's sugar research sector. Officials announced Tuesday the decision to form a committee tasked with auditing funds allocated to the institute and ensuring they were properly utilized.

This directive, initiated with guidance from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has stirred political ripples, notably from NCP legislator Rohit Pawar. He argues that the investigation indicates the BJP's strategic focus on Baramati, the Pawar family's political hub, following similar attention placed on Thane.

Sugar Commissioner Sanjay Kolte confirmed that while routine financial contributions to VSI from sugar mills — Re 1 per tonne of crushed sugar — remain unchallenged, the newly planned committee was conceived in a cabinet meeting on September 30. Despite no formal complaints of misappropriation, the audit aims to scrutinize fund usage amid broader political context.