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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that his government will ensure a befitting memorial for Babasaheb Ambedkar -- the father of the Constitution.
Dr Singh conveyed this to an all-party delegation led by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who called on him at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Saturday morning to request him for expediting the handing over process of Indu Mill Land for Dr Ambedkar's memorial.
Chavan briefed the PM regarding the present status of the transfer of land and the overall sentiments of the people on the issue, MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant said.
The chief minister said there are hurdles put forward by various ministries and requested the prime minister to intervene and direct all the concerned ministries to expedite the procedure.
As the government is going to construct the memorial, it is not going to be used for commercial purpose, Chavan said.
The prime minister also expressed astonishment over the slow pace of work on the memorial.
"You have my assurance and I stand by it. The hurdles will be overcome. I associate with the sentiments of all of you. When I go back, I will ask all my colleagues in textile ministry and environment ministry to expedite it," Sawant quoted Singh as saying.
Congress members Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre, state ministers Naseem Khan, Varsha Gaikwad and local Congress MP Eknath Gaikwad comprised the delegation.
The NCP members included Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and ministers Jayant Patil, Chagan Bhujbal, Sachin Ahir and Laxman Dhoble. Other members were Anandraj Ambedkar, Ramdas Athavle, Jogendra Kawade, Rajendra Gawai and Gangadhar Gade.