Pune, 9 July 2025: In a press conference held at Pune Patrakar Bhavan, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) demanded the immediate dismissal of the Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) board of directors, citing widespread corruption and mismanagement. Party spokesperson Vikas Lawande said that the party would approach the courts if no action is taken.
Allegations level against the board include manipulation in tender processes, irregularities in cess collection, allocation of shops in Moshi market, security staff recruitment scams, exploitation of farmers through dummy traders, illegal parking allocations, unauthorized stalls, and unaccounted recoveries on plot G-55. Lawande claimed these issues reflect systemic corruption within the committee.
The party has called for a thorough and independent investigation by the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department. Lawande also insisted that criminal charges be filed against those found guilty. He criticized the lack of action on a previous report submitted 20 years ago, which identified similar misconduct. Notably, five directors from that earlier probe are part of the current board.
Lawande questioned the role of Deputy Registrar Prakash Jagtap, alleging that he has daily ties with the board and has consistently failed to initiate meaningful inquiries, despite being instructed to do so. The party also demanded his removal from any investigative role to ensure a fair probe.
In response, Jagtap stated that the only investigation assigned to him concerned a separate appeal, which was stayed by the High Court. He denied any role in protecting the current board and dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Meanwhile, party leaders affirmed that senior leader Sharad Pawar is aware of the situation and is working towards organizing a joint meeting of the key stakeholders, including ministers and complainant organizations, after the monsoon session.