Land for Nano can be given in backward area of state: Deshmukh

Nagpur, Oct 6 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said the state government could give land in a backward region of the state for the Nano small car project of the Tata group.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Deshmukh said the Tatas wanted land near a metropolitan city, like Mumbai or Pune. However, it was not possible, as the Tatas needed 1,000 acres of land for the project, he said.

On the other hand, land could be given in a backward region like Marathwada or Vidarbha, Mr Deshmukh said. Officials from the state government and the Tata group held a meeting on the issue in Mumbai this morning, he said.

The state government had received the report of the (Pune University Vice Chancellor) Narendra Jadhav committee on farmers' suicides, and this would be placed before the cabinet soon, the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, Mr Deshmukh felicitated veteran politician Datta Meghe and his son Sagar for their entry into the Congress. Mr Deshmukh also felicitated Manikrao Thakre on his appointment as President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).

While the senior Meghe joined the Congress in New Delhi in August last, Sagar Meghe, a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), did so today. Recently, Datta Meghe ended decades of association with his mentor Sharad Pawar and quit the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after being denied a second term in the Rajya Sabha when his tenure ended. Later, Sagar Meghe resigned from the BJP and from the Upper House, citing the agony caused to his father because of their presence in two difference parties.

Mr Meghe had sent ripples in political circles in Maharashtra when he joined the BJP some years ago, while his father was in the NCP. Immediately after he joined the BJP, the BJP fielded him for an election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from Nagpur district local self-government authorities constituency. He won with a thumping margin.

UNI AB RN RR PM1953