Mah CM paints picture of progressive Maharashtra on its 48th anniv

Mumbai, Apr 30 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today painted a rosy picture of progressive Maharashtra on the eve of the 48th anniversary of its formation, saying the state has attracted an investment of Rs 1.20 lakh crore in last three years.

In his message, to be telecast on Doordarshan and Akashwani tomorrow, Mr Deshmukh said the entire country was looking at the innovative scheme of constructing 10 lakh homes in the state in next two years, out of which 25 per cent would be for low income group.

''Hutment free Maharashtra is our aim,'' observed Mr Deshmukh.

He said the slum dwellers would be given 270 sq ft houses under Slum Redevelopment Scheme, while old and dilapitated buildings in the metropolis would be developed in a cluster format.

He said the government would concentrate on indebted farmers of Vidarbha, plagued by their suicides, and provide them loans at six per cent interest rate under a scheme, which has started recently.

More efforts would be made to improve the Vidarbha irrigation by constructing 64,000 irrigation wells and Gosikhurd project, approved as national project, would provide irrigation to 250 lakh hactares after seven years.

The Chief Minister said the government has also given compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectare for the uncrushed sugarcane to solve the problems of cane growers.

He said loan waiver scheme of the Centre would benefit more farmers.

Mr Deshmukh said the state would concentrate on the development of Mumbai and metropolitan region, for which the work of Rs 6,500 crore has been undertaken in the region.

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