Border row with K’taka should be resolved through talks: Maha CM

BELAGAVI: Even as the border dispute with Karnataka is before the Supreme Court, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has suggested that the two states should hold dialogue in the matter. He also said that the Centre should take a positive stand on the issue.

Speaking to media persons in Mumbai on Thursday, Shinde said, “We have already held a meeting regarding the border issue. The old dispute is already before the Supreme Court. But alongside, we should discuss the issue and sort it out and this is the stand of our government”, he said.

Noting that the governors of both states have already met to discuss the border row, Shinde said, “The issue must be resolved by consensus and no new issues should crop up and further entangle the matter. We have already received several suggestions and the Centre should also take a positive stand. The Supreme Court is seized of other related issues”, he said.

The Maharashtra CM also said his government has increased the benefits for Marathis living in the border areas and said the freedom fighters’ monthly pension has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. It has also been decided to provide health benefits under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Yojana and provide more benefits to border area Marathis, he noted.