Earlier BJP govt neglected Marathwada: Maharashtra minister Ashok Chavan

AURANGABAD: The earlier BJP government in Maharashtra neglected Marathwada but the present Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation was providing development funds to districts in the region, state Public Words Department minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan said on Monday.

He said his department was allotting development work in the region and also checking to ensure the bidding firm had the capacity to complete the task at hand.

"The earlier BJP government neglected Marathwada and Nanded. My focus as minister is to provide funds to the neglected districts," he said.


Chavan said he had told Union minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari that contractors had failed in 18 of the 21 Centre-backed packages for Marathwada.

He informed that a survey was underway for a highway that would connect Nanded with the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway, which would reduce the travel time between the former and Mumbai from 12 hours now to around 6-7 hours.

Talking about allegations of public representatives demanding cut money in sanctioned works in the region, he said he was unaware of the issue but if Union minister Nitin Gadkari has come across such instances, then he should take strict action.

The Congress leader said he had started 'Ashok Chavan Seva Setu' on an experimental basis for his Assembly constituency Bhokar in Nanded, comprising a call centre for people to contact with problems and suggestions.

"The grievances of the people will be taken online and forwarded to the concerned department, and follow-up will be done," he said.