CM lauds Modi, says Maha has greatly benefited from PM’s leadership

Times News NetworkMumbai: CM Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday congratulated PM Modi on behalf of the people of Maharashtra for being the longest-serving elected PM and said the state has greatly benefited from the PM’s leadership.From the Bali Raja scheme during the 2015 drought that helped complete 100 dams to clearances for various infrastructure projects, Fadnavis said there has been no PM as sensitive as Modi. He credited Modi’s support for several landmark projects including Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai Metro Line 3, Metro networks in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), Mumbai coastal road, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Pune-Mumbai Expressway missing link project and Vadhavan port.Fadnavis said many of these projects had been pending for years but were completed or accelerated with the Centre’s backing. The CM was speaking to the media in Delhi.On the comparison with the first PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he said there was no question of comparison. Modi’s tenure, he said, is a matter of record.Responding to questions on the loan waiver scheme not benefiting all farmers, Fadnavis said 56 lakh farmers will benefit from the loan waiver scheme.

“All farmers whose debt is within Rs 2 lakh will benefit,” he said.However, if some were to take repeated advantage of the scheme, the banking system would collapse, he said. “There were waivers in 2017, 2020 and 2026. Therefore, some criteria have been put to determine who qualifies and who does not. The numbers are not large and 99.9% will fulfil the requirements,” he said.Fadnavis said once the code of conduct for the MLC elections, in force till June 18, ends, govt will make public the finer details of the scheme and ensure the waiver is effectively implemented from June 20.On availability of fertilisers, Fadnavis said there is a global crisis but fertiliser is being provided after putting in place certain parameters and conditions to ensure there is no hoarding. Farmers are being provided fertilisers as per their requirements. “There is enough stock of mixed fertilisers but if farmers ask for a specific fertiliser there may be some shortage,” he said.Fadnavis defended state minister Girish Mahajan amid a controversy over his “Operation Blue Star was a black day” remark, saying his remark should be seen in entirety in the context of the “Congress-led” 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He said Mahajan had already clarified on the matter and added Mahajan had visited Punjab after receiving an invitation during the nationwide observance of the 300th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.