Datta Meghe bid to reinstall self in Nagpur politics

Addressing a press conference, he said efforts are on to bring Guardian Minister Shivajirao Moghe, Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on a common platform.

The efforts are expected to bear fruits after the biennial election to the State Legislative Council from two local bodies constituencies in Vidarbha region, he said.

Meghe’s initiative in bringing Congress, NCP and BJP leaders together for raising issues linked to development of the city, has been seen as part of his efforts to rehabilitate himself in local politics.

Meghe was not taking interest in local politics after he successfully contested Lok Sabha election from Ramtek constituency in 1996. He shifted his base to Wardha from where he contested Lok Sabha polls in 1998 and 1999.

About the biennial election to the Legislative Council, Meghe was confident that NCP candidate and sitting MLC Ramdas Tadas would score a comfortable victory from Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli local bodies constituency.

The NCP and Congress enjoy a comfortable majority in Wardha, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli Zilla Parishads and have a sizeable presence in municipal bodies in these three districts, he pointed out.

The Minister said the Democratic Front Government is exploring a possibility of subsidising foodgrains distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) for the poor.

A budgetary provision of Rs 200 crore is expected to be made for the purpose, he said adding the Cabinet is likely to approve the subsidy scheme in its meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

He hit out at the Centre for withdrawing foodgrain subsidies saying that those below poverty line were the worst affected. The State Government is now considering ways to give subsidy for the benefit of this class, he added.

Meghe was also critical of the Centre for its decision to auction surplus wheat stock. Stating that the Centre should have distributed it through the PDS, he said the State Government will write to the Prime Minister demanding that surplus wheat stock be made avalable for PDS.

In reply to a question about aduleration in petrol, he said the State Government has found it dificult to check adulteration. The State has written to the Union Petroleum Minister that tankers with different colours be used carrying petrol, diesel and naptha.

If carriers of different colours are used for transporting different petroleum products, then it will help the State Government agencies to prevent adulteration, he said.