Khadse criticises BJP government for not implementing promises

Former Revenue minister and senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse today took on his own party government in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, alleging that promises made to various sections are not fulfilled yet.
"The BJP leadership had promised 24-hour power supply to farmers. Till today, the promise mentioned in the BJP's agenda is yet to be fulfilled. There is a shortage of power in Maharashtra," Khadse said.
He directed his attack at his BJP colleague and Energy Minister Chandrasekhar Bawankule over farmers' issues.
"Are you a Power Minister for Vidarbha region alone? There are some 14,000 farmers from Jalgaon district who have paid the amount to avail new electricity connection, but they have received no connection from the power supplying company. When it comes to power supply, the Maharashtra government is providing only eight hours of electricity," Khadse said.

Referring to long power cuts in rural areas during day, he said that if the government officers think that watering farms is easy, then they should see for themselves if sowing is possible in night.
"At a time when farmers are suffering severely, the state should at least waive off his or her interest on loans, which will come as a major relief to farmers. If there is some fine or penalty over delayed or non-payment (of loan), such fine can be waived off as an instant relief measure," he demanded.

Khadse, who represents Muktai Nagar Assembly seat in north Maharashtra, said, "The state government has carried out various events for attracting investment. What is the progress of such investment events? I would like to know whether a single industrial plant has come up in north Maharashtra."

Khadse had stepped down as Revenue Minister last year, in the wake of the allegations that he had grabbed a plot of land owned by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) at Bhosri near Pune.
The state government-appointed Justice Zoting Committee is probing the allegations against the BJP stalwart.