State government promises action in loan fraud

Mumbai: This newspaper had reported on July 6 how farmers were allegedly cheated by Gangakhed Sugar and Energy Private Ltd. The matter raised its head in the state legislative council on Tuesday with leader of the opposition, Dhananjay Munde, moving a calling attention motion against Gutte.

Replying to the calling attention motion raised in the MLC by Munde, minister of state for home (rural), Deepak Kesarkar, admitted to illegal lifting of loans to the tune of Rs 398 crore. "The economic offence wing is presently probing allegations and a FIR has been registered against Gutte and others. No one will be spared once the investigation is over, and arrests will be made," said Kesarkar.

Munde informed the government that Gutte had been threatening him about exposing the scam. NCP MLC Jayant Jadhav moved a breach of privilege motion against Gutte which was admitted by deputy chairman Manikrao Thakre. Despite repeated questions from opposition members and demands for arrest of accused in the case, Kesarkar maintained that arrests would be made only after thorough investigation. Munde said, “The government is protecting the accused. He being a member of RSP (Rashtriya Samaj Paksha), which is supporting the government, everyone, right from the CM to his ministers, is working to protect him.”  

Five nationalised banks and one private bank allegedly issued loans amounting to Rs 328 crore to nearly 12,000 farmers without their knowledge. Loans were directly transferred to Gangakhed Sugar and Energy Private Ltd.’s bank accounts. Gutte is a leader of RSP which is an alliance partner of BJP. He is the director of Gangakhed company.

Farmers duped

• Banks allegedly given loans worth Rs 328 crore in the name of 10,000 farmers to the private company.
• Mr Kesarkar said that EOW is currently probing the case.