Panel to study barren land issue

Vikhe clarified that there was no proposal to give the barren land of the agricultural university to any private companies. He added that the University Vice-Chancellor Yogendra Nerkar as well as the State Government had also clarified that there was no such proposal. He said that the university’s land was a property of the State Government and added that any person having some information in this connection should approach the government or the university. The supplied information will be verified, he assured. Veteran social worker Anna Hazare who has been leading the agitation of the project-affected persons would be informed of the truth in this matter, Vikhe said.

The minister said that the five-member team will study if there was any barren land with the university and will also try to solve the problems faced by the project-affected people.

Vikhe refused to comment on the charge levelled by Congress MLA Babanrao Pachapute that large-scale corruption had taken place in the recently held “Agro Advantage” programme conducted by the alliance government in Mumbai. He said that he would reply to the charges in the ensuing session of the state legislature. The State Government had given Rs 1 crore for the project and sponsorship was secured for various programmes. After the programme, there is a balance of Rs 36 lakh, he said and the statement of expenses will be made available.