SIT to probe alleged corruption at Nagpur APMC, report in 1 month
The three-member SIT will be chaired by district collector Vipin Itankar, along with superintendent of police, Nagpur rural, who will serve as a member, and divisional deputy registrar of cooperative societies, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, will function as member secretary.
The SIT was directed to probe not just procedural irregularities, but also potential criminal misconduct, with powers to recommend filing of criminal cases if offences are confirmed.
The decision was taken during the recently concluded Maharashtra Legislature session, following a question raised by MLA Krishna Khopde. During the discussion, the minister for marketing assured strict action if corruption or irregularities involving APMC's board of directors were proven.
The SIT's mandate includes investigating whether APMC Nagpur followed the Maharashtra agricultural produce marketing (development and regulation) Act, 1963, and its associated rules in its operations.
Allegations of irregularities in shop allotments by the board members are central to the inquiry. Importantly, the SIT was asked to examine charges of criminal misconduct, forgery, conspiracy, and other offences, and initiate criminal proceedings against board members and officials wherever offences are established.
The SIT will also scrutinise two earlier reports: PL Khandagale committee report on revenue losses to the govt, and 2017 inquiry report by AD Patil regarding shop allotment irregularities.
The SIT was directed to fix responsibility based on these findings and investigate whether corruption occurred during both current and previous tenures of board members and officials.
A comprehensive examination of APMC Nagpur's overall functioning forms part of the inquiry. The govt has granted special powers to the SIT, which was authorised to requisition staff from the offices of the divisional deputy registrar of cooperative societies at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur to assist the investigation.
The SIT was given a strict deadline of 30 days to submit its final report to the state govt.
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