The leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde, has alleged that businessman Ratnakar Gutte secured loans worth over Rs. 5400 crores in farmers’ names and invested in his shell companies on the basis of fake documents.
Ratnakar Gutte is a businessman and a promoter of the Gangakhed Sugar and Energy Limited in the state’s Parbhani district. According to NDTV, Munde of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said, “In 2015, Gangakhed Sugar Factory procured bank loans in the names of more than 600 farmers under the ‘Harvest and Transport scheme’. These farmers are now getting bank notices for loans amounts some of which are as high as Rs. 25 lakh.”
Mr Munde also informed the House that an FIR was registered against Ratnakar Gutte this year on July 5 under various sections of the IPC but no arrest had been made yet.
According to reports, Mr Munde stressed that like PNB scam-accused diamantaire Nirav Modi, Mr.Gutte will flee the country, if the government doesn’t give due importance to the issue and take action in time.
Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar has taken the issue under consideration and sought information from the government.
Mr Nimbalkar enquired the government whether the Special Investigation Team formed to probe the matter was appointed by the court or not.
In 2017, the Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government received sharp criticism when they dropped ongoing cases against Gutte. As reported by Indian Express, Gutte is known for having close ties with the ruling party.