The ‘spirit’ that haunts CM

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is under pressure to scrap his predecessor’s decision of allowing ‘politician’ entrepreneurs to make alcohol from grain, although he has stayed any such new proposal.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is under pressure to scrap his predecessor’s decision of allowing ‘politician’ entrepreneurs to make alcohol from grain, although he has stayed any such new proposal.

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The Chavan Cabinet ratified the old decision but refused to entertain new proposals following pressure from social organisation. However, Chavan’s decision to let the companies/ cooperatives that got permission in the first round of approval to carry on business has invited public wrath.

The matter has reached the Bombay High Court, which on Thursday asked the state to furnish its explanation by January. “My Cabinet has decided not to allow new units that would make alcohol from grains. We have decided to let the 23 old units to
carry on their production because they have already invested huge money,” Chavan said.

The CM argued that the decision to this effect was taken when Vilasrao Deshmukh headed the Cabinet. Some selective units promoted by politicians and their kin were sanctioned government grants and subsidies.

Chavan’s statement has revived his cold war with Deshmukh. Once pals, the leaders fell apart when Chavan started ignoring Deshmukh after becoming the CM last December. The rivalry soared further when Chavan managed to beat Deshmukh in the race for top post last month.

Reacting to Chavan’s remark, Deshmukh said: “The Cabinet’s decision is always a collective responsibility. One (those who were in his Cabinet then) cannot run away from their responsibility.” While politicians’ blame game continued, the public opinion is for scrapping the entire scheme. A women’s organisation in tribal district of Chandrapur — Mardani Manch — has threatened an agitation during the ongoing Legislative Session.

Manch chief and former minister Shobha Fadanvis said that production of alcohol from grains would create scarcity of essential commodity.

Chetan Kamble, who moved a writ petition in the high court, has questioned the policy decision. “I don’t understand the need of such production units when we are facing food scarcity,” Kamble said.