NCP not in favour of free power

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today suggested that there were differences within the ruling Democratic Front coalition government in Maharashtra over the provision of free power to farmers.

NCP spokesman DP Tripathi said his party, which is part of the ruling coalition, had "reservations" on the Congress-led government's decision. Sheer populist measures were not going to yield revenue for the government, he said, adding, "What is needed is resource mobilisation."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had last week announced this measure, aimed at attracting the farm constituency ahead of the forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

The party also asked the Centre to reconsider its decision to reduce the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) rate and demanded that it be raised to 12.5 per cent. It also suggested that the government restart talks with trade unions and employee associations and reach an amicable solution on the subject.

Tripathi welcomed the formation of a coordination committee between the Congress and Left parties as a "commendable and mature step." He said a "mechanism should be evolved to make the committee more representative", while being "small and effective" and not "unwieldy", implying that all constituents of the United Progressive Alliance need not be invited on the committee.

When asked if the NCP and Congress had finalised a seat sharing arrangement for the assembly elections in

Maharashtra, Tripathi said that talks were continuing on the issue.