Collector to head SIT for probing affairs of APMC

 

Maharashtra Government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities on part of Directors of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) at Nagpur. A notification about setting-up 3-member committee headed by District Collector, Nagpur, was issued by Department of Co-operation, Marketing and Textiles on Friday, the last day of monsoon session of State Legislature. The other two members on the committee are District Superintendent of Police and Divisional Joint Director, Co-operative Society, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. While Collector is going to head the Committee, DSP will be its Member, the nominee from Co-operative Sector is going to function as Member Secretary.

 

The SIT has been given a months time to submit its report to State Government. The SIT was formed after ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from East Nagpur, Krishna Khopde, raised the issued during the monsoon session of State Legislature. Khopde claimed that the Directors of Nagpur APMC have indulged in several illegal acts and demanded their removal and appointment of Administrator. He claimed that there has been violation of norms in allotments of shops in Kalamna Market Yard. Khopde further claimed that there has been criminal misconduct and forgery in allotment of shops.

 

The rules framed for inquiry includes examining the report submitted by P L Khandagale Committee and explore whether the Directors and officers of APMC had really defrauded the State exchequer and in case there is truth in the findings then criminal offence should be registered. The SIT is also look into A D Patil, Auditor, report about irregularities about corrupt practices on part of current Directors and Officers and post study registered offence against the persons found involved in the same. The third point is about investigating the entire working of APMC.