Maharashtra must defer major infra projects to cut costs amid inflation: Rohit Pawar

Maharashtra NCP leader Rohit Pawar has urged the state government to defer mega infrastructure projects to cut expenses and shield citizens from inflation.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Tuesday said the Maharashtra government should defer mega infrastructure projects such as the Shaktipeeth Expressway and Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to cut expenses and shield citizens amid inflation.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar argued that slowing down these projects for a year would reduce state expenditure.

''Shaktipeeth Marg is not needed today. Instead of spending Rs 1 lakh crore on it, the government can reduce expenditure by slowing down metro rail works and the bullet train project for a year,'' he said.

If the government wants to cut expenses, it should reduce big expenditures like these and ensure common people do not suffer because of austerity measures, the Karjat-Jamkhed legislator said.

Political parties in Maharashtra should come together to help the state overcome challenges, he said.

Pawar said that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work collectively if the country was facing difficulties.

On farmers' issues, he said many agriculturists were unable to avail fresh loans from banks due to old, unpaid dues.

''If farmers don't get money before the monsoon, sowing will be affected. If there are large-scale problems in sowing and cultivation, then the crisis could worsen,'' he said.

He warned that inadequate rainfall and lack of financial assistance could create serious difficulties for farmers in the coming months.

Pawar also demanded stricter laws against examination paper leaks, saying irregularities in recruitment exams, such as police and talathi, adversely affected common people.