Wadettiwar slams loose oil ban, says decision hurts poor consumers
Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar criticised Maharashtra’s ban on loose edible oil, saying it could hurt poor consumers and the traditional Teli community’s livelihood. He urged the government to withdraw the decision, while Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the issue could be taken up with the Chief Minister.
Kolhapur: Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday criticised state Food and Drug Administration commissioner Tukaram Munde’s decision to ban the sale of loose and unpacked edible oil, alleging that the move would hurt poor consumers and undermine the traditional livelihood of the Teli community.
Addressing a gathering of the Teli community in Kolhapur in the presence of revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Wadettiwar said traditional oil producers sell pure oil, while packaged oils have harmed public health.
“If the Teli community had not extracted oil and sold it from village to village, could anyone have celebrated Diwali? It is our traditional business. The poor buy loose oil, not packed oil. Health issues started only after packed oil appeared in the market. The Teli community produces the purest form of oil without adulteration,” Wadettiwar said.
He urged Bawankule to take up the issue with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and seek withdrawal of the ban.
Responding from the stage, Bawankule asked Wadettiwar not to stay in opposition for long. “Wadettiwar should not wait till 2029, he should try before that. Mahayuti is going to remain in power till 2047. He is close to me and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as well,” Bawankule said, later clarifying that the comment was made in jest.
On the long-pending demand for a divisional commissionerate in Kolhapur, Bawankule said a decision would be taken only after the next Census.
“There is a demand for a divisional commissionerate in Kolhapur and also from Latur and Nanded. We will be able to take a decision on new divisions only after the Census,” he said.
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Source : The Times Of India
