Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday welcomed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s decision to call off his hunger strike, saying the government has already accepted 12 …

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday welcomed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange’s decision to call off his hunger strike, saying the government has already accepted 12 of his 13 demands and will fulfil each of them.He was speaking to the media after attending the flag-hoisting ceremony in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the occasion of ‘Hyderabad Muktisangram Din’, also known as ‘Marathwada Liberation Day’.Asked about Jarange ending his fast earlier in the day, Fadnavis said, “I am happy that Manoj Jarange called off his hunger strike following our appeal. We have already accepted 12 of his 13 demands. Regarding the remaining demand, we have explained the judicial issues involved.” The CM said the promises made by the government or by the sub-committee on Maratha reservations will be fulfilled.Maratha quota | Manoj Jarange calls off 20-day-old fast; gives three-month ultimatum to Fadnavis govt“The decisions have already been taken, but the administrative issues involved need to be addressed, and we will do so,” he said.The government has always been positive towards the Maratha community, and its doors are always open, he said. “Whether it is me or (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde, the Maratha community has received the most during our tenure,” he said.Jarange announced on Thursday morning that he had called off his 20-day-old fast, and warned the Maharashtra government that he would take the protest to Mumbai if his demands over Maratha reservation were not considered in three months.Fadnavis also wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and spoke about the initiatives planned to mark the occasion.“I wish PM Modi on behalf of the people of Maharashtra on his birthday. PM Narendra Modi does not celebrate his birthday, so we have decided to organise various programmes on the occasion. Through ‘Seva Saptah’, we will serve the people in different ways and ensure that they receive what they need,” he said.Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the central government over the ongoing UPI-related issue. Asked about Gandhi’s remarks, Fadnavis said he did not understand the subject and merely read what was given to him.The Centre has issued a clarification on UPI, and there is no need to repeat it, he said.“Those who criticise should know that India has developed the world’s largest payment system under the leadership of Narendra Modi. It is being used by several countries. Digital transactions and UPI ensure that subsidies are transferred directly into beneficiaries’ accounts, helping to eliminate corruption,” Fadnavis said.Manoj Jarange-Patil’s Maratha quota agitation poses big challenge to Fadnavis govt during GaneshotsavHe also took a dig at the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s agitation, which has been ongoing across Marathwada since September 6 over projects announced for the region but yet to be implemented.“It is the agitation of those who achieved nothing despite getting an opportunity. We have shown what we have done in the past, and we will continue to do so in the future. Earlier, when I said that flood mitigation measures would be brought to Marathwada, they mocked us. But we made it happen, and tenders were floated. The project was approved by the World Bank, and funds were sanctioned,” Fadnavis said.He said the government has also prepared the detailed project report for a proposal to bring water from Konkan.”I want to ask them (the Thackerays): Who developed the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor)? Who brought investments to the region? Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna have now become an EV magnet for the country. Who made this possible? They can continue opposing us. This is an agitation by blusterers,” he added.

Source: Deccan Herald