MSPC chairman lambasts Thane district officials

Thane, Nov 29 (UNI) Maharashtra State Planning Commission Executive Chairman Dr Ratnakar Mahajan has challenged the progress report of the district in the field of health, literacy, irrigation and the other developmental works and stated that the reporting of these were not factual.

Dr Mahajan was taking his first review of the plan progress for the district, after taking over as the planning chief of the state.

Addressing district officials from various departments at the district collectorate here yesterday he directed the officials to undertake various programmes to improve the literacy levels in all such talukas where the literacy level was below fiftypercent.

When he was informed by the district administration that the literacy level of Thane district was more than 87 percent he shot back saying that when the state average itself is 72.68 percent how the districts can be over 87 percent. He was explained that the literacy levels in the rural tribal talukas were less while those in the urban areas were high hence the district average was 87 percent.

In response he directed the officials to under take intensive special programmes to ensure that the levels of the taluks which were below 50 percent is rised upto the state level.

We have a target of achieving 90 percent literacy level for the state by 2007 he told the gathering of senior officials of the district.

UNI XR WD AG1226