In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Nashik, job creation and addressing farmers’ concerns are the key priorities for Shiv Sena MP Hemant Godse. In an interview with BusinessLine, Godse said his focus till now has been infrastructure development as that will lead to industrialisation and job creation. Edited excerpts:
What is your campaign strategy?
I want to convey to the people what all I have done in the last five years. My work on infrastructure development will lead to industrial development and job creation. Under the UDAN scheme, I have connected Nashik to nine cities — Delhi, Ahmadabad, Pune, among others. I have also worked on development of railway network, and projects such as Nashik-Pune railway line and Nashik-Kalyan local train service have been approved. Similarly, an electrical testing lab has been approved in Nashik, which will generate employment. I have brought Trimbkeshwar under the ambit of the Centre’s PRASAD scheme.
Farmers’ concerns ranging from water shortage to pricing are important issues in Nashik...
The Godavari basin is a deficit area. The two river-linking projects — Damanganga Vaitarna and Damanganga Godavari — have been approved, which will together bring about 12 TMC water to the basin. About ₹41 crore has been approved for the survey, of which, 80 per cent has been completed. Both these projects will listed in the national link. Onions and grapes are the main crops in Nashik. Onion cultivation, which was originally in seven States with Nashik having about 35 per cent share, has now extended to 22 States. We are producing much more than requirement. So, we need a broadcast system with daily updates on production to chalk out an export plan. Another concern is that many sugar factories have also shut down.
The Shiv Sena is critical of the NDA government, then why does is support it in elections?
We are a family, and in a family, all this happens. The Shiv Sena will continue to support the BJP.
How big is the issue of unemployment in Nashik?
Employment generation is a big issue for the whole country. Unemployment is on the rise due to automation. Look at how 18 lakh engineering seats were vacant last year. Even engineers are not getting jobs. People need to depend on self-employment and there is a need to focus on skill development.
If you win the 2019 elections, what will be your focus?
Youth, employment generation, business and farmers’ issues. Nashik has about 70 per cent urban population. I am working on industrial development to ensure youth get jobs. Nashik should be connected to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor in the second phase. I am also working on a 100-acre agriculture terminal market at Sayyad Pimpri approved by the Cabinet.