The ruling Nationalist Congress Party on Monday indicated that it is quite serious to convert the present drought conditions prevailing in 146 talukas of Maharashtra into an opportunity to increase its presence and thereby consolidate its position ahead of parliamentary and assembly elections slated for 2014. The union agriculture minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday at his meeting with party’s ministers in the Congress led government asked them to extensively travel into the drought affected areas, conduct meetings with the district administration and various departments and expedite relief works.
Pawar also stressed the need for strengthening the party organizations especially in Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of north Maharashtra by exploiting the present crisis. Of the 62 legislators elected in 2009 elections, party has only 9 members in Marathwada, 4 in Vidarbha and 8 in North Maharashtra. He also exhorted party ministers to actively involve in successfully organizing minorities rally slated for February 3 in Aurangabad and the subsequent tribal rally to be held either in Thane or other tribal dominated district.
| Union agriculture minister and NCP chief minister Sharad Pawar Monday exhorts his party ministers to adequately protect farmers' interests, of villagers whose lands have been acquired for industrial projects in Maharashtra. Asks ministers to make necessary changes in policy as minutes of state cabinet meeting on new industrial policy are yet to be finalized. |
| Pawar’s obvious reference to state govt’s new industrial policy announced on January 3 by the CM Prithviraj Chavan and industries minister Narayan Rane. The new industrial policy, which envisages converting special economic zones into integrated industrial areas, has been attacked by opposition and NGOs for being pro builders and developers. State NCP though has extended its support to ministers at state cabinet meeting held on January 2, had dubbed it as housing policy. NCP ministers had objected to the policy proposal of putting 60 per cent of the land for industrial use and the balance for 30 per cent for residential and 10 per cent for commercial use. Opposition parties and NGos have said that the lands, which were acquired by the SEZ promoters from villagers and farmers, were at a throw away prices. The government has said that it would be mandatory for project developers to use 60 per cent land for industrial purpose and only after that the government would allow the balance to be used for residential and commercial use. |
Pawar’s message was quite loud and clear that NCP needs to further spread its wings by changing its image as the party dominated by politically influential Maratha community and having its stronghold in western Maharashtra which is known for powerful cooperative network. Pawar did not forget to tell his ministers that he would again meet their either on January 15 or 19 to review their performance especially in the drought hit areas. NCP chief said for a moment reshuffle in the NCP’s ministers was not on the cards but added that he would take a call only after co-partner Congress party takes decision in this regard.
Pawar told Business Standard “We discussed at length the current drought conditions in Maharashtra. Specific responsibilities have been fixed on our ministers so that the relief works are carried out effectively. The relief aid sought by the Maharashtra government can be further reworked. I suggested our ministers to discuss the issue with the chief minister and try to approach Delhi with revised aid to tackle present situation.” He informed that a group of ministers headed by him would meet on January 10 to consider reports submitted by the central team on providing central assistance to Maharashtra and Karnataka.
State NCP chief Madhukar Pichad, who was also present at today’s meeting, said the party wants its ministers and members to jointly work in reaching out to drought hit people and streamline the relief operations. “It is worst ever drought in last 50 years and the party and its ministers will contribute everything to effectively tackle the present crisis. Ministers have been asked to coordinate their ministerial responsibilities and organizational works,” he noted.
A senior NCP minister, who did not want to be identified, said the party boss in a softer language asked ministers to pull up socks or perish. “Pawar indicated that NCP can improve its presence in scarcity hit regions and it can definitely help party improves it tally in the next elections,” he added.
