Maharashtra government, which had launched a crackdown against 'hoarders' of pulses and other commodities, released 70 per cent of the confiscated stocks to their original owners, an RTI query has revealed.
RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed two applications with Food and Civil Supply and Consumers Protection Department seeking information on the quantity of stock seized during the crackdown and returned, quantity still in possession of the government and cases filed against 'hoarders'.
In its reply, the department said as on January 4, 2016, a total of 1,23,028 metric tonnes (MT) of tur, turdal, other pules and edible oils were seized in Mumbai, Thane, Amaravati, Aurangabad, Pune, Nashik and Konkan divisions. 85,546 MT (or 70 per cent) of the seized pulses and edible oils were released to the same owners.
S S Supe, Deputy Secretary of the Department, said the department was still in possession of 37,480.608 MT of pulses and edible oils.
According to the information furnished, 100 per cent seized stocks were returned in Aurangabad, Amravati, Pune and Nasik divisions.
Most of the stocks were seized from Mumbai/Thane followed by Konkan division. During raids, aimed at curbing the sky-rocketing prices of these commodities, the department seized a total 59,731 MT of pulses and oils from Mumbai and Thane rationing areas. 52,747 MT of pulses and oils were seized from Konkan rationing area.
"Despite carrying out 5,592 raids on hoarders, the department has filed FIRs in only 50 cases. This raises questions about the government's ability to take action against hoarders," said Galgali.
In Mumbai/Thane division, stocks weighing 59,731 MT were confiscated. Of these, 56,574 MT was returned to the 'hoarders' (original owners), he said.
"I demand state government come out with the true picture about the raids, which were hyped and publicised. Later on most of the seized stocks were returned to the hoarders. The government should explain this," added Galgali.
When contacted, Secretary of the Department Deepak Kapoor declined to comment on the quantity of seized pulses which had been returned to the original stockists.
