State opposition demands MCOCA for black marketing in rice trade in Maharashtra

There was uproar in the legislative council on Wednesday afternoon over alleged irregularities and black marketing in the rice trade in Maharashtra. Opposition benches demanded that MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be invoked on those booked in such cases.

During a calling attention motion in the council, MLC Abhijit Wanjarri said: “In Gadchiroli district, for several years now, there have been numerous incidents of irregularities and black marketing in the rice trade involving rice produced from govt-supplied paddy. Numerous complaints with evidence have been filed, and it has been alleged that paddy purchased from govt procurement centres is being processed by local rice mills.”

The rice is supposed to be deposited in govt depots, but there are frequent instances where rice is being illegally sold for profit after being taken from govt warehouses, alleged Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab. Legislators also alleged in the House that “substandard rice brought from other states” was falsely presented as processed in govt warehouses and then distributed through the public distribution system, reaching local shops and markets.

Parab said there was widespread public discontent and anger over the “corruption”, while a FIR was already filed in the case in the past and also police chargesheets. “It is high time govt take action against the perpetrators and book them under MCOCA,” he demanded.

In his reply, minister of state for food civil supplies and consumer protection Yogesh Kadam said: “The govt will definitely conduct a detailed probe, and if we find that this is a fit case for organised crime, we may consider applying MCOCA.”

He further said that no irregularities will be tolerated—be it any person or anyone connected to any political party etc. “Anyone found guilty will face stringent punishment in this case,” he added.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.