Refuting allegations by social activists like Medha Patkar regarding sleaze in the sale of loss-making sugar factories to private parties, state co-operation minister Harshavardhan Patil yesterday said that the charges are baseless and those making them should provide documentary evidence to the ministry. Incidentally, Patkar, who was in Mumbai yesterday, said that this was a colossal scam – amounting to Rs 10,000 crore – and involved top politicians from the state.

Raising cane! State co-operation minister Harshavardhan Patil