Nationalist Congress Party’s national president and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Saturday targeted chief minister Prithviraj Chavan once again for “slow decision-taking” in the state.
Mr Pawar alleged that Maharashtra is lagging behind in development and industries are moving out of the state because the decision taking process has come to a standstill here.
Criticising the indecisiveness of the government both at the state and the Union level, especially that of the CM of Maharashtra, Mr Pawar said that decisions should be taken in time and be implemented with vigour.
Citing examples of Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti plants going out of the state, Mr Pawar said that the industries were promised a lot, but due to indecisiveness of the government, the plans failed to be implemented. “Without decision, the state won’t progress,” he said, adding that he has already asked his party’s ministers to take prompt decisions.
The NCP president was speaking after his party’s meeting, in which Madhukar Pichad was re-elected as NCP state president.
Speaking about the Union government, Mr Pawar said that had the hike in petrol price been gradual. it wouldn’t have received such angry reactions from the people.
He also criticised the policy of giving subsidy, where it was not necessary. Mr Pawar said, “Subsidy should be given to poor and needy farmers and the common man. What’s the point in giving a diesel subsidy to someone buying a Mercedes?”
Mr Pawar also spoke on other national issues. He said that agriculture was one sector that supported the Indian economy even during the worldwide economic depression.