Mah Govt wants Centre to take decision on loan waiver

Mumbai, Nov 13 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said the state government will give a positive response to any policy decision by the Centre on waiving off of the farmers' loans.

Mr Deshmukh was speaking to members of Parliament from Maharashtra ahead of the winter session.

He urged the MPs to follow up on the issue with the Centre.

Mr Deshmukh said the highest number of projects were approved by the state under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the MPs should follow up with the concerned authorities in the Central government to expedite release of funds for the projects.

State Legislature has already passed a unanimous resolution demanding separate statutory boards for North Maharashtra and Konkan. MPs should pursue the matter with the Centre, he added.

Infrastructure, tourism, health, and pending railway and irrigation projects were also among the issues discussed during the meeting.

RPI-A chief Ramdas Athavale demanded that the Mumbai Central railway station be named after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, while Eknath Gaikwad demanded speedy implementation of the beautification of the Chaityabhoomi memorial of Dr Ambedkar.

Shiv Sena MP Suresh Prabhu suggested that available land and water resources in the metropolis should be studied scientifically during the implementation of various infrastructure development schemes.

Mohan Rawle felt that the state government should highlight the 'injustice' meted out to the Marathi-speaking population living in the areas of Maharashtra-Karnataka border with the Central government.

UNI