NCP alleges scam involving seized pulses, targets Bapat

Opposition NCP in Maharashtra today alleged that there was a scam related to seized stocks of pulses in the state and sought the sacking of food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat claiming that he was involved in the same.
Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik alleged that Bapat had allowed hoarders to store the pulses for six months.
"So far, about 98,000 metric tonnes of dal has been seized from hoarders, which is valued at Rs 2,000 crore.
"As per the Essential Commodities Act, the government has the power to sell off the seized dal to PDS shops at cheap rates. But the government deliberately gave the dal back to the hoarders to sell it to consumers at Rs 200 per kg. Under which law is this permissible?" he asked.

Malik said that NCP would raise the issue in the winter session of the state legislature, which begins next month.
Meanwhile, Bapat could not be contacted for his comments in the matter despite several attempts.