Pune, Oct. 29 -- Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that the state government has initiated an inquiry into the Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), headed by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, calling it a "routine request". The reports of such an inquiry, however, drew sharp criticism from Opposition NCP (SP) calling the move "politically motivated". VSI is a research institute catering to the sugar industry in Pune. Ajit Pawar, who rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and allied with the BJP in 2023, is among the members of the VSI's governing body. Sugar mill operators are part of the institute's board. Early on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had said that a probe was ordered after the government received complaints about the VSI. "When the government or the chief minister receives a complaint, an inquiry has to be conducted. There is nothing to fear if everything is in order. This is not being done deliberately," he added. State sugar commissioner Sanjay Kolte said, "We generally collect Re 1 per tonne of crushed sugarcane from sugar mills for VSI, and these funds are used for research and development activities. In a cabinet meeting held on September 30, instructions were given to form a committee to check how these funds are being utilised. On Monday, we received the minutes of the meeting, and accordingly, a committee will be formed." He, however, denied receiving any complaint regarding utilisation of funds. Reacting to the development, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar called the move "politically motivated". "The CM's order to conduct an inquiry into the institute is not a routine process. It shows that after Thane, the BJP has turned its attention to Baramati. Yesterday, Union home minister Amit Shah said in his speech that the BJP does not need crutches, and now the CM has ordered an inquiry into VSI. Is this not an attempt to reduce the dependence on crutches?" he said, hinting at NCP chief Ajit Pawar's links to the institute. Baramati in Pune district is the Pawar family's stronghold, while Thane is the political turf of Shiv Sena leader and deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Fadnavis, meanwhile, told reporters that the notice issued to the VSI was not for the purpose of any probe. "I want to make it very clear that the state government has not started any inquiry against Vasantdada Sugar Institute. It is a routine request seeking financial information. It is not a probe, but (sugar commissioner) only sought information regarding the funds given to VSI by levying a duty on sugar factories. There is nothing wrong with asking any institute to account for the funds it has received. For example, every year farmers give Rs.1 per tonne to the VSI. We have just asked how these funds get utilised. The decision was taken at a recent meeting to review the sugarcane cruising season."...