NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the Maharashtra government had claimed that it seized 1.36 lakh tonne of pulses in various raids across the state.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded resignation of the food, civil supplies and consumer protection minister Girish Bapat over the Rs 2,000 crore dal scam. It also demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter by a sitting judge under the Commission of Inquiry Act.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the Maharashtra government had claimed that it seized 1.36 lakh tonne of pulses in various raids across the state. "Out of it, only a few tonne was auctioned in the open market. What happened with the remaining pulses?" he asked.
He alleged that the pulse scam took place with the covert understanding with the state minister. "The matter has to be investigated to find out the truth. The government cheated the people by making a farce of the raids. In fact, after the raids, the government immediately returned the pulses to the traders. Probably a huge transaction took place. The government has deprived people of pulses," claimed Malik.
He further asked on whose directives did the state government lift the restrictions over pulse storage? "Rather than investigating the matter, Bapat has been seeking clarification from different departments. As per the rule book, because he heads the ministry, Bapat only will be held responsible for any malpractice. His decision to seek clarification from the secretary shows that something is amiss," said Malik.
He added that the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) government in the state has been constantly changing its stand on pulses. "First they said all seized pulses will be sold through the public distribution system. Then they said they will return the pulses to traders. There is confusion over the government decision. No one knows what the government is going to do with this huge stock of pulses," he said.
He added that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis must immediately sack Bapat, who remained unavailable for comments.
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