Let Centre run state government on lease basis: Lonikar

Aurangabad, June 18:

BJP's former minister MLA Babanrao Lonikar said, " The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led state government is least interested in implementing the Marathwada Water Grid Project. The cabinet meeting was held on Thursday, but no concrete decision was taken about it. Instead, the MVA government took a decision to seek financial aid of Rs 11,582 crore from the union Government. If all the things are to be sought from the Centre then the state government should be handed over to the former, lamented Lonikar while addressing a press conference today.

Lonikar also hinted at preparing to appeal in the High Court in connection with the project. Besides, the state government will also be questioned during the session. It is learnt that the MVA government has conducted three sessions till today, but no decision was taken regarding the water grid project. The deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is raising suspicion about the launch of the project. The western Maharashtra had always meted out step-motherly treatment towards Marathwada. This is the reason why NCP is opposing the project.

Lonikar said, " So far, 10 detailed project reports (DPR) were prepared, but the state government did not push it for further process. Indeed there are issues relating to the Covid-19 situation, but the state government never ever expressed its positiveness in taking up the project. This means that the government is not keen on implementing it. The water experts, who are opposing the project should first review all the DPRs and then the government should fix its deadline."

BJP to come on roads!

When the BJP leader's attention was drawn towards the absence of coordination between Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Corporation (GMIDC), Department of Water Resources (DoWR) and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and state's initiative to seek financial assistance from the Centre etc, Lonikar said, " We will also try to pull fund from the Centre, but it is the government's responsibility to maintain coordination between GMIDC, DoWR and MJP. For the past one and a half years, the government is just killing the time."

When he was told that BJP has 16 MLA and four MPs in the division, but the BJP was not active regarding the project, then Lonikar said, " We were unable to do anything due to Covid-19 pandemic. In future, the party will come on the roads."