PONDA: Two Sanjivani sugar factory officials were on Thursday evening suspended following a video on social media levelling corruption allegations against them to the tune of Rs one crore while issuing a tender for sale of sugar manufactured at the factory.
Earlier in the day, the factory employees boycotted work in protest against the duo and launched a daylong agitation demanding their suspension.
Following their protest, the Administrator Damodar Morajkar in the evening suspended Naveen Kumar Varma, Chief Chemist and Manufacturing In-charge .
However, the workers continued with their demand to suspend the Deputy Chief Accountant Sakshi Shetgaonkar. As authorities delayed in initiating action against her, the employees intensified their agitation and stopped the staff from leaving after working hours. Following this, tension prevailed and police rushed to the spot. At 7.30 pm, the officials discussed the issue with the higher authorities and suspended Sakshi, following which, the workers withdrew their strike and returned home.
It is learnt that an hour-long video has five clips, showing two persons engaged in a conversation and taking names of a factory official alleging he was paid Rs one crore for sugar deal.
It is learnt that the sugar factory officials floated the tender for sale of sugar produced in factory. The 30,000 quintal sugar stock produced last year was sold to Hubli-based contractor at Rs 7.5 crore.
Based on the video evidence, the employees alleged that the officers sold the good quality sugar at lower rates with an excuse that the sugar quality was affected due to moisture in the godown, which they termed as false and claimed that in a secret deal with the contractor, good quality sugar was sold quoting a lower rate. Factory administrator Damodar Morajkar said, “Since there is video clip alleging scam, I will conduct an inquiry and steps have already been taken. After internal inquiry, in case we come to know the fact then I will file a police complaint.”
“Unnecessarily overtime to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh is paid to the chemist staff , Employees Union president Rajesh Gaonkar alleged and demanded an inquiry against Warma, an employee who is responsible for the factory losses.
He demanded that an inquiry be conducted as to why the roof godown cement sheets were removed last week with the monsoons at the door.
He claimed that employees are not provided with drinking water and toilet facility since past two years , but on the other hand the factory money is looted through scams.
President of Sugar Farmers’ Association Rajan Dessai said, “We work hard and supply sugar but if corruption takes place then it is a serious issue. Last year, we came to know of a scam by labour contractor to the tune of Rs 5 crore and now a new one through a video clip.”
Dessai said he has appealed to administrator to find out whether the clip is genuine or whether it is aimed to defame the factory. If there is scam, the guilty should be punished following an inquiry .
The suspended officials rejected the allegations levelled against them in video clip and feigned ignorance over the persons engaged in the conversation.
Naveen claimed that he sold the sugar at government approved rates, while Sakshi said her role is to sell the sugar bags only following the payment made through Bank by the contractor who purchased the sugar.
