Narayan Rane warns state government over fiscal deficit

Mumbai: Newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP and former chief minister Narayan Rane has advised the state government to control fiscal deficit as it is not a good indicator of Maharashtra’s growth. Mr Rane also asked the state to increase income instead of “cutting” budgets of departments. He said he would raise the issue of the Nanar green refinery project in the upper house of Parliament as it was capable of destroying thousands of mango and coconut trees in adjoining areas.

Mr Rane said that he would continue to support residents in the project-affected area who were agitating against the project. However, Mr Rane has supported the Jaitapur atomic energy project.

Asked what he thought about the recent state budget presented by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar with a fiscal deficit of Rs 15,000 crore, Mr Rane said, “It is a worrisome situation. I have gone through the news regarding this. It shows lack of discipline in fiscal policy. This needs to be fixed. I would advise the government that it needs to fix it not by cutting down budgets of various departments but finding ways to increase state income.” Mr Rane said that this did not send a good signal about the state economy.

The Rajya Sabha MP also said that he would try to convince the BJP national leadership of the disastrous effects of the Nanar petrochemical refinery project proposed in Ratnagiri district. “After all, this project is being set up by the union government. I will tell them how it could be problematic for the Konkan region. How the project site is already having rich horticulture crops such as mangoes and cashews. I will oppose this project at any cost,” he said.

Mr Rane taunted the Shiv Sena for opposing him. “They said that they would quit the government if I joined the BJP. Now I have the certificate of RS MP. Will they leave the government now!” he said sarcastically.