Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claimed that the number of scams taking place in nationalised banks was higher than frauds reported in the cooperative banks.

Speaking at an event organised by the Pune District Urban Cooperative Bank, Pawar, who is also the state finance minister, said there are discussions about merging nationalised banks, and the move will create a space in the banking sector and cooperative banks can fill that up. "If any small wrongdoing takes place at the level of cooperative banks, the sector is defamed to such an extent that a perception is created among citizens that these people (from cooperative banking sector) indulge in wrong deeds," the minister said. Talking about the number of scams reported in banks, Pawar said that in 2018-19, a total of 3,766 cases of (irregularities) were reported in nationalised banks, involving amount to the tune of Rs 64,509 crore.