43 lakh jobless in State, new policy by April 28

He said that the core group headed by the Chief Secretary of the State and comprising secretaries from 12 departments had almost finalised the policy which would help any unemployed person upto the age of 59 to set up his or her own business.

Minister of State for Employment Hemant Deshmukh stated that special efforts would be made to convince banks in taking a liberal approach towards the issue as banks were not cooperating with persons intending to set up their own business. He stated that 38 schemes had been streamlined under the new policy to provide training and financial aid for the jobless and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would be involved in the matter.

Survey for gold

Minister for Commerce Makhram Pawar on Monday told the Legislative Assembly that foreign companies were interested in mining minerals, including gold and diamond in the State. An Australian company had been permitted to conduct a survey in Bhandara district.

Answering supplementaries on a starred question raised by Shobha Phadnavis, he informed the House that the Australian company would conduct a survey of the region within two months for gold mining. He further said that a South African firm had shown interest in exploring diamond mines in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts and its proposal was being scrutinised.

He stated that the government would set aside ten per cent of the amount received as royalties from such ventures as mineral development fund to finance creation of infrastructure in the State.

However, Opposition member Arun Adsud protested against the minister’s statement, pointing out that out of the Rs 266 crore revenue generated through mining, about Rs 261 crore came from the Vidarbha region and hence, the mineral development fund be used only for creation of infrastructure in the mining regions.

Sudhir Mungantiwar reminded the government of its policy of spending 10 per cent of the royalties on infrastructure development in the mining regions only. Pawar continued to give the same answers and Opposition members interrupted his statements and demanded that the mineral development fund be utilised only in the mining zones.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh intervened to assure the House that irrespective of the statements of Pawar, the government would not only use the fund (ten per cent of the royalties) but would also add five per cent from its own pocket and spend the amount on infrastructure development in Vidarbha. He pointed out that roads, especially in the coal mining areas of Vidarbha, were in poor condition and the companies had stated that maintaining roads was the responsibility of the government as they pay royalties. He said that the fund would be used locally.

According to the written reply of Pawar, the possibility of setting up a major iron and steel plant in Gadchiroli district was being explored and a project report had been prepared by Dastur and Co. He stated that the state government had issued a letter of intent to Lloyd’s Metals and Engineers but the Union Ministry for Forests and Environment had refused permission.

He added that fresh efforts would be made by the state government to get the project going.

Meghe apologises

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Datta Meghe apologised in the Legislative Assembly for the wrong statement given by his deputy, Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Mohammed Arif Khan.

While replying to a calling attention motion moved by R M Wani and others on the irregularities by the staff in Akola district, Khan informed the House that prima facie four government employees were found to have been involved in the fraud and that three of them: the district supplies officer, the godown keeper and the watchman-had been suspended.

However, Opposition members Jaiprakash Mundada and others questioned why the fourth one, the additional collector, had been spared.

Khan fumbled for a moment and said that the Akola district collector would be suspended forthwith. Opposition members brought the lapse to the notice of the Speaker and asked the minister to correct his statement. Meghe then rushed to the rescue of Khan and said that the additional collector, not the collector, would be suspended. When Opposition members insisted on an apology, Meghe apologised on behalf of khan.

According to the written reply on the calling attention motion, 1,196 quintals of wheat, 402 quintals of rice and 310 litres of edible oil were found stolen from the government godown in Akola during surprise checks between March 14 and 17 this year.

Nashirbad blast

Minister of State for Home Manikrao Thakre on Monday announced a CID inquiry into the suitcase bomb blast at Nashirabad in Jalgaon district.

Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Eknath Khadse and others, the minister said that as yet there was no evidence to suggest that the accused had any links with the ISI. He stated that previous enmity over marital affairs had led to the blast which killed Shabanabi Yakub and Shaikh Yakub.

However, Opposition members were not satisfied with the minister’s replies and alleged that much more was at stake and that the government had taken the case casually. When members, including Khadse and Arun Adsud, insisted on a CID inquiry into the case the minister agreed.

MSRTC losses

Minister for Transport Shivajirao Moghe informed the Legislative Assembly that the accumulated losses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation had piled up to Rs 865.10 crore.

In a written reply to a starred question raised by Girish Mahajan and others, the minister stated that the increase in the price of fuel and materials, salaries, concessions given to passengers, compulsory services on non feasible routes and unauthorised passenger services by private operators had led to the losses.

He further stated that efforts were being made to increase revenue and cut costs of the corporation.