“Farmers should become energy suppliers alongside food suppliers,” Nitin Gadkari (document)
Nashik, Maharashtra:
Apart from smart cities, India also needs “smart villages”, Road Transport and Highways Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday.
He was speaking after the unveiling of a statue and memorial to late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde at Nandur Shingote in Sinnar taluka, Nashik district.
“Munde has spearheaded justice for farmers from the front line…he has worked for farmers through programs such as Krishna Valley, Tapi Irrigation and Vidarbha Irrigation projects,” said Nitin Gadkari.
“While carrying on his legacy, various programs must be implemented for the children of farmers. Farmers should become energy suppliers and food suppliers. The ‘smart village’ concept needs to be implemented along with smart city projects,” the minister added.
In his speech, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised Munde as a true champion of the people’s cause.
“He has deservedly earned the title of ‘Loknete’ (leader of the people) and has lived up to it,” added Eknath Shinde.
The Chief Minister also assured that farmers who suffered losses due to the recent erratic rains will be adequately compensated.
“A huge allocation has been made in the budget under the Gopinath Munde Farmers Accident Insurance Scheme. Dorms will be set up for the children of sugarcane harvesters and the sugarcane workers companies will not be short of funds,” he said.
Union Health Minister Dr Bharti Pawar, District Guardian Minister Dada Bhuse, State Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, BJP leader and daughter of the late Gopinath Munde MP Pritam Munde, Pankaja Munde, MP Hemant Godse, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and Congress leadership The man Balasaheb Thorat was also present.
(Aside from the title, this story is unedited by NDTV staff and published via a syndicated feed.)
