In a significant development, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) initiated action against the Baramati Agro Limited, situated in Baramati and owned by Karjat-Jamkhed MLA Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar.
The board served a notice to Mr. Rohit Pawar, at 2 a.m. on Thursday, instructing the closure of the plant within 72 hours. Expressing concerns about the timing and circumstances surrounding the action, he hinted at the involvement of ‘influential figures’ in the MPCB’s post-midnight action.
The 37-year-old legislator, who belongs to the Sharad Pawar faction, is the CEO of Baramati Agro Limited, which works in the fields of animal and poultry feed manufacturing, sugar and ethanol manufacturing, co-generation of power, trading of agri-commodities, fruits and vegetables and dairy products. It has a registered office in Baramati.
During their visit, the PCB officials found two tankers containing hazardous chemicals near the plant, based on which a probe was launched and notice was issued to Mr. Rohit Pawar via Email.
However, sources at Baramati Agro Ltd. told The Hindu that contains in the two tankers and in their store are completely different and even if they were the same or said to have been released from the factory, it was a penalty-based offence and there was no need to give directives to shut down a unit of the firm.
“We gave all the explanations, but the officials were not ready to listen. The Environment and Climate Change portfolio under which the PCB comes is headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde himself, so our management is not surprised by the notice. Two major sugar factories near our unit are owned by an influential leader from Baramati, apart from other plants owned by several BJP leaders, and violation notices were served to those factories,” the source said, adding that they will move the local court on Friday against the closure order.
Mr. Rohit Pawar spoke about the challenges faced when taking a firm stand in the midst of political struggles, highlighting the importance of not wavering in one’s principles and loyalty.
“I’d like to share with our younger generation that embarking on a path of struggle often entails numerous challenges. Despite efforts to discredit me for speaking out and taking a resolute stance, I won’t be deterred. Marathi people are known for their unwavering commitment,” he said.
He reiterated his preparedness to confront ‘this battle head-on’ and compared his journey from business to politics. “I’d like to remind those targeting me that I transitioned from business to politics, unlike many who amassed wealth by first entering politics and then venturing into business. Their expectations will fall flat, and the politics of hatred isn’t aligned with the values of today’s generation,” Mr. Rohit Pawar said.
The NCP leader also assured his company’s employees and their families that the government’s actions were “politically motivated” rather than a result of any wrongdoing on their part.
‘Birthday gift’
He humorously referred to the government’s actions as a ‘birthday gift’ while expressing confidence that the youth and people of the State would respond appropriately. Mr. Rohit Pawar celebrates his birthday on September 29.
The young Pawar also humorously praised the promptness with which the system had acted in his case and said: “It’s intriguing that the system, which often delays common people’s affairs for months, swiftly acted against me at the behest of these two leaders. I bear no grudge against government officials in this process. I maintain unwavering faith in the judiciary and will continue my legal battle based on the truth,” he said.
Mr. Rohit Pawar said the incident highlighted the complex interplay between politics, business, and the regulatory environment, and said “These are the challenges faced by public figures who dare to speak out against influential leaders.”
Recently, he said that some leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP devised a strategy to target him in order to curry favour with the BJP.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Tapase, chief spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar faction alleged that the Eknath Shinde government is afraid of Mr. Rohit Pawar as he fervently champions the progressive and secular ideals of Mr. Sharad Pawar.
“In the dynamic landscape of Maharashtra politics, Rohit Pawar has garnered a substantial following among the youth. Nevertheless, CM Shinde’s administration faces serious allegations of wielding administrative machinery for political purposes, obstructing Rohit Pawar’s endeavours,” he said.
Both NCP MP Supriya Sule and Mr. Rohit Pawar have taken a determined stance against aligning with the BJP and even though Mr. Ajit Pawar chose to align with the Shinde government, the BJP appears disheartened by the unwavering strength of the NCP’s base still rallying behind Mr. Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra, Mr. Tapase said.
