Govt orders probe into graft charges against Malaprabha Sugars | Hubballi News
Belagavi: The state govt ordered an investigation in connection with the alleged financial misappropriation at Malaprabha Sugar Factory in MK Hubli. The investigation was ordered at the direction of the sugar minister, Shivanand Patil.The state govt appointed enquiry officers to investigate allegations of irregular activities and mismanagement in administrative and financial transactions alleged to have taken place at the Malaprabha Cooperative Sugar Factory in MK Hubli. Enquiry officers were appointed with the approval of textiles, sugarcane development and sugar and agricultural marketing minister Shivanand Patil.Realising the need for a detailed investigation into the alleged irregularities, illegal activities in sugar sales, and procurement of storage materials from 2018-19 to 2022-23, including all legal aspects, the govt ordered a joint investigation. Notices were issued to the persons concerned, seeking an explanation regarding the allegations, but they did not appear before the court. Therefore, the state govt appointed retired district judge SC Ingalagi and retired additional commissioner of the cooperation department SM Kaluti to investigate and instructed them to submit a report within three months.During minister Shivanand Patil’s recent surprise visit to the Malaprabha Cooperative Sugar Factory, farmer leaders made serious allegations about the poor condition of the factory. The management justified the losses by giving reasons. The negligence of the previous management board and the current management board was said to be the reason for the poor condition of the factory. The management board showed low sugar yield. A large amount of sugar was illegally stored and misused. The farmer leaders explained to the minister that this illegality was detected and a complaint was filed with the deputy commissioner.The chairman of the management board explained to the minister that the reason for the loss of this cooperative sugar factory was the increase in the number of sugar factories in the district and the conflict between farmer leaders. Hundreds of families are living in this factory. The workers appealed to minister Shivanand Patil that the govt should take appropriate measures and come forward to run the factory.When Rudrappa Mokashi’s team took over the responsibility of the administration, the factory was in loss. Within three years, the factory’s debts were paid off, and it was brought to profit, and Rs 15 crore was deposited in the bank. But farmer leader Basavaraj Mokashi explained that the factory suffered losses due to the mismanagement of those who came to power later.Farmer leaders urged the minister to immediately dismiss the management board responsible for the factory’s current state, investigate the irregularities and recover the money, prevent the looting that has taken place despite the loss, run the factory with govt assistance, and appoint a govt official as the managing director of the factory.
