Pune: Rajgad Cooperative Sugar Factory in Bhor taluka, which was set to receive ₹81 crores from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with state government backing, now faces a severe financial setback.
The financial aid, initially approved, was canceled following the Lok Sabha election results, leading to mounting concerns over the future of the factory.
During the factory’s annual general meeting held on Friday (September 27), MLA Sangram Thopte voiced his displeasure over what he termed as discriminatory treatment by the state government in providing financial assistance.
Though he refrained from naming anyone directly, his comments were clearly aimed at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Thopte criticized the cancellation of the approved funds, suggesting that political interference played a role in the decision.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Baramati constituency witnessed a fierce contest between Supriya Sule, MP and daughter of Sharad Pawar, and Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar.
Thopte, a Congress MLA from Bhor, had supported Sule, resulting in a substantial lead for her in the Bhor constituency. However, this political allegiance seemingly came at a cost to Rajgad Sugar Factory, as the promised financial support was withdrawn soon after the election results.
The Rajgad factory, along with Shankarrao Kolhe’s factory in Nagar, had been guaranteed funds from the NCDC under the state government’s endorsement.
However, the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections altered the scenario, and the aid was abruptly canceled, sparking outrage among the factory's stakeholders.
Following the cancellation, MLA Thopte and the factory’s representatives sought answers from the Sugar Commissioner, Ministerial Committee, and the Chief Minister but were met with vague responses. Eventually, they were forced to take legal recourse and approached the High Court.
The court instructed them to rectify the deficiencies and reapply for the aid, a process that is currently underway. Thopte lamented that this was the first time in history that political rivalries had resulted in such punitive measures against cooperative entities.
Retired police officer and factory member Yashwant Kadam urged the Board of Directors not to consider privatizing the factory, asserting that the establishment, founded by Anantrao Thopte and Sharad Pawar, has the potential to thrive independently.