Guardian minister unhappy over absence of officials at DPDC meet

Thane, Oct 30 (UNI) The Thane district guardian minister Ganesh Naik has expressed displeasure over senior government officials skipping the District Planning and Development Council meetings.

Mr Naik, who was presiding over the DPDC meeting at the district collectorate here today, said officers who do not take these meetings seriously should quit the district and go elsewhere.

Ambernath MLA Kisan Kathore brought to Mr Naik's notice that the guardian secretary and additional commissioner had absented themselves today.

Earlier, the Minister performed the ''Bhoomi Poojan'' for a proposed DPDC building for the district in the premises of the district collectorate.

At the DPDC meeting, district collector S S Zende informed that part of the building would be funded to the tune of Rs 40 lakh from the small savings fund. He urged the legislators to contribute the rest.

Speaking at the meeting, legislator Hitendra Thakur alleged officials provide evasive replies at the DPDC meets. He raised the issue of Panju island development. Mr Naik asked the district collector to prepare a comprehensive development plan for the island and submit a proposal for further action.

Kalyan MLA Harishchandra Patil raised the issue of a parallel road between Mumbra and Kalyan and said that this was the dire need of the hour.

Mr Naik, in reply to a question raised on the proposed railway terminus near the mental hospital, said the issue would be referred to the Chief Minister.

The issue of facilities at the district civil hospital was also raised to which civil surgeon Dr Chapalgaonkar informed the meeting that there was a provision for Rs 75 lakh for two dialysis machines.

Mr Naik directed the hospital to place a proposal before the government for consideration and, meanwhile, ensure that dialysis facilities are started from January 26, 2008.

UNI