Nano car project will benefit Maharashtra: Rane

Nagpur, Aug 27 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane today said the state would benefit from the ''Nano'' small car project of the Tata group.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Rane said the offer made by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to the Tata group reflected the collective decision of the cabinet. ''I am part of the cabinet. It will, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on it,'' he said.

Mr Rane, however, parried questions on his feelings on resuming responsibilities as a minister of the cabinet after having been persuaded not to quit. When asked how he viewed the government's functioning now, in view of his earlier comment that his experience with the government had been bad, Mr Rane quipped, ''I had bad experience (earlier) with the government. Now, I only have experience.'' In reply to a question, Mr Rane said the long-awaited expansion of the state cabinet could take place any moment during the present tenure of the government. ''The incumbent Democratic Front (DF) government will complete its full term. The cabinet expansion will take place during the term. It could take place even before the code of conduct is imposed (for the next assembly elections in the state),'' he said.

Mr Rane is on a brief visit to Vidarbha to review the situation caused by the advent of pests on standing crop in the region, especially cotton and soyabean. The government would conduct a survey of the damage caused within the next 15 days, and announce financial aid to the farmers accordingly, the minister said.

The government was seized of the matter and would stand firmly by the farmers, giving them all assistance possible, he added.

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