Pankaja, Dhananjay argue on biscuits production contract issue

Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde today indulged in a war of words in the House over the issue of alleged irregularities in the production of ayurvedic biscuits.
Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar had to intervene as both, Pankaja and Dhananjay, insisted that the two different reports they have were true.
The issue came for discussion during the question hour on a query raised by NCP member Sandip Bajoriya over "gross irregularities" in production of ayurvedic biscuits by Ms Govardhan Ayurpharma company.
Raising a supplementary query, Dhananjay argued that the company was granted an illegal extension of contract.

"The Joint Director of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a letter issued in December 2015 had said that the company's licence had been cancelled," he said, adding that hence, the contract of Rs 5 crore given to the company was illegal.
Pankaja, the state Women and Child Welfare Development Minister, however, said the company had a valid licence from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which was valid for five years.

But Dhananjay demanded that the government should order a probe into the matter.
Pankaja said the company had obtained a renewed licence for five years and also sought to know which of the two arguments should be held as true.

She drew the attention of the House that the matter was sub-judice.
Intervening the matter, Council Chairman said there cannot be a debate over whether the government's argument or that of the opposition was true.
"As per the procedures of the House the argument raised by any member is held to be true.
He directed both, the Minister and Leader of Opposition, to hand over the papers they possess to him for adjudication.
He further added that he would personally verify them and hold a meeting of all the concerned and take a decision on the matter.