The Maharashtra government has directed the sugar commissioner to form a committee to audit the funds provided to the Pune-based Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) for research and verify whether they were appropriately utilised, officials said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, however, said the order issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not part of a routine process. The decision to form the committee indicates that the ruling BJP has now "turned its attention" to Baramati after Thane.