NASHIK: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday congratulated the people and the elected representatives of Awankhed village in the Kalwan taluka of the district for bagging the first prize in the Sant Gadge Baba Gram Sawacchata Abhiyan.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting on kharif season, Pawar said, “Awankhed has set an example for the entire state. We hope other villages would also do their best on the cleanliness front.”
About the kharif season, Pawar said only 14% sowing of kharif crops was achieved so far this year as against 64% last year.
“This year there is no rain due to which sowing is lagging behind. The farmers have been rightfully advised by the agriculture department to wait till good rainfall is recorded as there were chances that farmers would have to undertake sowing again,” he said.
The deputy chief minister added the agriculture department, under the guidance of state agriculture minister Dada Bhuse, had planned timely delivery of seeds, fertilizers, and other things to the farmers right to their farms and hence farmers had nothing to worry about other than rain this year.
Attempt to show black flags
A group of people claiming to be members of Maratha organisations tried to show black flags to Pawar at Ashok Stambh at 11 am, but they were detained by Sarkarwada police. “A group of people wanted to block the road for Pawar’s convoy to press for their demands for Maratha reservation. We, however, foiled their attempt and rounded them up.” a police officer said.
