Shiv Sena’s Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), alleged that government rice meant for school students was sent directly to Africa under the name of a social organisation, calling it a “scam”.
Mr. Danve challenged the government to have an open discussion on the issue, naming J.V. Grains Dealers, the social organisation involved in the alleged corruption. “Bhrashtachar Pe Charcha! You decide the place and time! Is the government aware of the rice sent to Africa? This is a new way of corruption,” said Mr. Danve in a tweet.
Mr. Danve also wrote a letter to Food and Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, demanding an inquiry into the matter and strict action against the suspects.
According to him, the trust president, Anil Kumar Gupta, conspired with the government officials and smuggled the rice meant for school students, as per the information from a credible source.
J.V. Grains Dealers was given a rice transportation contract for the Mumbai district. Mr. Danve claimed, “Mr. Gupta has been using the organisation for personal gains, and this is reflected in the shareholding pattern in the audit. He holds an 80% share in the organisation. The profits were directly transferred into Gupta’s personal account.”
Further he claimed that the vehicles used for transporting the products were owned by Mr. Gupta but purchased by the organisation’s funds. The funds were diverted to his personal account as an “unsecured loan” without any permission from the Charity Commissioner.
Raising the alarm, Mr. Danve asked, “Is the rice under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Shakti Nirman Yojana’ black marketed? And, whether the Mahayuti government favoured Mr.Gupta?
“The Railway Administration cancelled one of their contracts before expiry and forfeited the deposit on October 5, 2023. However, such an organisation should not be awarded any tenders, said Mr. Danve, adding that a forensic audit must be conducted and, accordingly, take criminal action against the organisation.
Published – August 14, 2025 07:19 am IST
