Preference to development and farmers: Rau

Nashik, Oct 13 (UNI) Development and farmer's problems will get preference in the district, stated Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Prabha Rau here today.

''Congress has always supported development irrespective of political differences with other parties. We have never considered who is the mayor or which party is ruling the municipal corporation,'' Ms Rau said after inaugurating the Rs 5.6 crore underground drainage scheme in Ward number 13 of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC).

The scheme has been undertaken as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Ms Rau added that preference will also be given to solving farmer's problems regarding the Urban Land Ceiling Act.

She assured to make efforts for the approval of Rs 300 crore Road Development Project of NMC, submitted to the Central Government.

She pointed out that the role of people is also important for development and in solving farmer's problems. People should see that new slums do not come up and they should not get involved in any type of illegal activities. The participation of maximum number of people will help in the development of not only the cities but also the state, she added.

Mayor Vinayak Pande presided over the programme while MLA Dr Shobha Bachhar, MPCC General Secretary Gopalrao Gulwe, NMC Commissioner Vilas Thakur, Congress district President Rajaram Rangawhave, corporators and many office bearers of Congress were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Nashik Municipal Corporation has secured the top position among seven municipal corporations, selected under JNNURM regarding their work in the month of September, in a survey conducted by the State Government.

Ms Rau is on a tour of the district. Earlier in a farmer's meet at Wadiwarshe in the district, Ms Rau had said that industrial development should not be done at the cost of farmer's welfare.

UNI