Maha govt to sell Patanjali products on its e-seva centres, Oppn slams move

The State Government’s decision to promote Patanjali products under the umbrella of services through its Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendras (ASSK) has rankled the opposition.

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of opposition (LoP) in legislative assembly has demanded the government withdraw its controversial Government Resolution (GR). While, Ashok Chavan, president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) remarked the government has become an agent of Patanjali. Opposition has raised objection on GR issued by Information Technology department which enlists about 61 services divided broadly in 10 major heads, includes Patanjali products under the “B2C” (Business to Citizens) services head.

Vikhe-Patil said by allowing sale of Patanjali products through ASSK, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena government has once again shown it works only for a handful of industrialists. Demanding to scrap the GR immediately, Vikhe-Patil alleged the government is trying to undermine the Womens Self Help Groups (SHGs). He added on one hand the government gives “Make In Maharashtra” slogans and at the other hand it gives government sanction to certain companies and demoralizes new entrepreneurs.

Chavan, Member of Parliament of Congress said the “real beneficiary” of government schemes is none other than Baba Ramdev. In a sarcastic jibe, Chavan retorted the government should put pictures of Baba Ramdev as real beneficiary of its schemes in its official advertisements.

He added the government become “distributor” for Patanjali company. He said, the government has already allocated 600 acre land at throw away prices to Patanjali.”