Land lease controversy and dairy farmer crisis headline Ahilyanagar's week
Ahilyanagar was at the centre of political scrutiny this week after the Maharashtra government leased 1,200 acres of district land to a renewables company linked to NCP leader Supriya Sule's family, drawing opposition attention. At the same time, the district's dairy farmers face deepening hardship from rising fodder costs and scarce water, while an industrial investment in aluminium extrusion signals new economic activity in the region.
🗳️ 1,200-Acre Land Lease Stirs Political Controversy
The Maharashtra government has leased 1,200 acres of land in Ahilyanagar district to Vishwaraj Renewables, a firm owned by Sarang Lakhani, the son-in-law of NCP leader and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule. Sarang Lakhani is also the son of BJP MLC Arun Lakhani, whose family is described as being close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. The lease arrangement has drawn attention because it involves an Ahilyanagar land parcel granted to a company whose ownership links span both a prominent opposition politician — Sule — and the ruling establishment. The report was filed on October 9, 2026, by journalist Sudhir Suryawanshi for The New Indian Express. The dual political connection embedded in the ownership structure of Vishwaraj Renewables is at the heart of the controversy, as it raises questions about how the lease was approved and what criteria governed the selection of the firm. Critics have noted that land leases of this scale in an agricultural district warrant close scrutiny, particularly given the company's family connections to influential political figures on both sides of the aisle in Maharashtra's often cross-party power networks. [2]
🤝 Dairy Farmers Urge Fodder Camps as Crisis Deepens
Dairy farmers across Ahilyanagar district are struggling to maintain their livestock as a combination of rising fodder prices and water shortages makes cattle-keeping increasingly difficult. Farmers report that they are now purchasing fodder at high prices just to keep their animals alive, yet even the available supply is limited, leaving many without adequate feed. The situation has led farmers to urge the district administration to establish fodder camps on an urgent basis. Without prompt government intervention, farmers say they will be compelled to sell their livestock — a step that would cause lasting damage to the district's dairy economy, which many families depend on for their livelihoods. The dual pressure of elevated fodder costs and inadequate water supply reflects the broader drought stress affecting this part of Maharashtra. ETV Bharat reported on the crisis on October 6, 2026, noting that the shortage is not simply a matter of price: even farmers willing to pay the higher rates are finding the available stock too limited to meet their needs. Community representatives have made clear that setting up fodder camps is not merely a convenience but a necessity to prevent irreversible loss of cattle across the district. [3]
🏢 Sharvaya Metals Inaugurates 10-Inch Aluminium Extrusion Facility
Sharvaya Metals Ltd formally commissioned a new 10-inch aluminium extrusion facility at its manufacturing plant in Ahilyanagar on October 5, 2026, marking a significant expansion of the company's industrial footprint in Maharashtra. The facility features modern production equipment including advanced billet heating systems, online quenching, and integrated puller and stretcher systems — machinery suited to precision, high-strength aluminium work. By adding this extrusion line, the company now controls the full value chain from raw alloy material to finished components, an integration the company says will improve margins and open new revenue streams. The facility is designed to serve high-growth, high-value sectors including aerospace, defence, railways, and electric vehicles — industries with demanding quality and certification standards. Sharvaya Metals management said their priority following the commissioning was to optimise the new line's capacity and secure the industry certifications required to qualify as a supplier to these sectors. The investment positions Ahilyanagar as a location for precision industrial manufacturing, adding to the district's economic profile beyond its traditional strengths in agriculture and sugar processing. [6]
Sources: [2] The New Indian Express · [3] ETV Bharat · [6] Whalesbook