In a significant development, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Commissionerate has taken action against Vaidyanath Co-operative Sugar Factory, owned by BJP national secretary Pankaja Munde, seizing assets worth ₹19 crore in Maharashtra’s Beed district. The action was taken in response to alleged GST evasion related to the sale of sugar during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reports indicate that the sugar factory, which had encountered financial challenges, failed to fulfill its GST obligations during the pandemic period. In April, GST officials visited the factory premises and subsequently seized assets, including the factory’s boiler and related machinery, valued at ₹19 crore.
Addressing the situation, Pankaja Munde stated, “Our factory is facing a financial crisis, and due to limited funds, we chose to pay the dues of farmers first. We needed financial assistance from the government. Along with some other factories, the name of our sugar factory was on the first list, which was sent for approval by the government. But except for our factory, all other factories received financial assistance. If we had received the assistance at that time, this situation would not have arisen.”
Munde further explained that the factory had been grappling with financial difficulties for an extended period. The low production levels since 2011, coupled with three consecutive years of severe drought between 2013 and 2015, had created a challenging financial environment for the sugar factory.
The timing of the GST action has raised eyebrows, as Pankaja Munde had recently taken a two-month political break starting from July 7. Subsequently, she embarked on a tour of around 10 districts, referred to as the ‘Shiv Shakti Yatra.’ It’s worth noting that this tour was conducted independently and not under the banner of the BJP.
Pankaja Munde has been a prominent political figure in Maharashtra and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, following her party’s defeat in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly election, where she faced off against her estranged cousin Dhananjay Munde of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), she has reportedly felt sidelined within the state BJP.
Openly expressing her dissatisfaction with the party leadership in Maharashtra, particularly Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pankaja Munde’s political stance has garnered attention. Her actions, including the recent independent political tour, have fueled speculation about her future political course and potential alliances.
The seizure of assets from Vaidyanath Co-operative Sugar Factory adds another layer to the evolving political landscape in Maharashtra. It remains to be seen how this development will impact Pankaja Munde’s political trajectory and the dynamics within the BJP in the state. The allegations of GST evasion and the subsequent asset seizure underscore the importance of adherence to financial regulations in the business and political spheres, and the consequences that can arise from non-compliance.