Patil blames BJP for fertiliser shortage in Maharashtra

Nagpur, Jun 20 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today blamed the BJP for the shortage of fertilisers in the state.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Patil said the supply of fertilisers to the state from Rajasthan had been affected because of the Gujjar community's agitation there. Members of the Gujjar community had blocked rail traffic as part of their agitation, thereby affecting the supply, he added.

''The BJP government in Rajasthan should have handled the issue better and tried to bring the agitation to an end soon. However, it did not, thereby leading to the shortage in Maharashtra,'' Mr Patil said.

The BJP should, therefore, not hold the state government responsible because the party was to blame, he said.

Mr Patil, who also holds Home portfolio, said the government would make separate provision for the additional Rs 100 crore to be spent every year for the next five years in the naxalite-infested areas in the state. The entire affected area would be treated as a single unit for the same, with the money being spent on creating infrastructure facilities in the affected areas, he said.

Replying to a question, the Minister said the naxal surrender scheme, now being implemented in the state, would continue after making improvements.

Earlier, Mr Patil attended the 97th passing-out parade of the Regional Police Training School (RPTS) here this morning. A total of 1,155 new recruits, who passed out of the school, will join the force soon.

Later in the day, the Deputy Chief Minister presided over a meeting of police officials to review the law and order situation in Nagpur city and Nagpur Range.

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