Minister Dhobale gheraod'' by BSP activists

Solapur, Feb 14 (PTI) Guardian Minister LaxamnaraoDhobale today faced a tough time at the Solapur MunicipalCorporation (SMC) building when the BSP activists "gheraod"him and questioned him regarding development of houses forDalits in the city.

Hundreds of BSP party activists, led by CorporatorsBablu Gaikwad and Chandan Shive, took Dhobale to task andalleged the funds allocated for construction of Dalit houseswere diverted to other works by the SMC administration.

The Minister assured to look into the matter.

"Funds meant for Dalit slum development will not beallowed to be used for any other purpose," he said.

Meanwhile, Dhobale assured to push for the inclusionof the SMC in the C category of civic bodies, a move whichwill lead to abolition of octroi in the city.

Dhobale said he will meet the Chief Minister, hisdeputy and Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde (who hailsfrom Solapur) and seek their help over in the issue.

He said Solapur has crossed the population of 10 lakhand qualified to get into the C category which will help itget several benefits.

Dhobale was taking stock of the development works ofSMC at a meeting here.

"After getting into the the C category, the SMC willget an aid of Rs 120 crore from the State Government everyyear to cover the revenue loss arising out of octroiabolition," the Minister said.