India, Sept. 22 -- Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday firmly rejected a proposal to commercialise a portion of the land belonging to the state-run Haffkine Institute in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The proposal, submitted by the institute's managing director Sunil Mahindrakar, suggested leasing part of the land for private commercial use to help address a financial crisis.

The decision was announced on Sunday during a Jansamvad (public interaction) event organised by the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) to gather feedback and concerns from citizens. DCM Pawar, accompanied by MLA Anna Bansode, NCP leader Yogesh Behl, and other officials, also inspected the Haffkine Institute during the visit.

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