Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has refuted reports claiming that the state government has launched an inquiry into the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), which is headed by NCP (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, reports News 18.
Addressing the media, Fadnavis clarified that no formal investigation has been ordered and that the matter has been misrepresented. “I want to make it very clear — the state government has not started any inquiry against the Vasantdada Sugar Institute. There is no question of launching an investigation,” he said.
Explaining the background, Fadnavis said the issue was discussed during a recent review meeting on the upcoming sugarcane crushing season. The committee examined how various funds collected from sugar factories are being used. “It was decided collectively to seek details about how funds deducted from different sources are utilized. For example, every year, one rupee per tonne is deducted for the Vasantdada Sugar Institute. So, like other funds, we only asked for information about how that money is being spent,” he explained.
He stressed that the decision was made transparently in the presence of all stakeholders, including representatives of sugar factories and officials from the institute. “The Sugar Commissioner was only asked to seek information from VSI — nothing more,” Fadnavis added.
The Chief Minister further said that the government has not received any complaints against the institute that would justify an inquiry. “If a serious complaint comes to us, we will definitely examine it. But as of now, no such complaint has been received. Hence, there is absolutely no question of any inquiry,” he said.
His clarification comes after reports suggested that the government had ordered a probe into whether VSI had properly used the funds and grants it received. Fadnavis’s statement aims to end the speculation, emphasising that the government’s action was purely administrative and not an investigation.
With this, the Chief Minister has made it clear that the Sharad Pawar-led Vasantdada Sugar Institute is not under scrutiny, and the state’s move was limited to seeking financial information, not conducting a formal probe.
