Ministers to fan out for iron collection

Ministers and many senior officials will fan out across several states over the next two to three weeks as part of the drive to collect iron for the Rs2,500-crore Statue of Unity project, which is being touted as the world’s tallest statue.

Around 15 teams to be headed by ministers have been formed to travel to different states as part of the campaign to collect iron for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s statue. The teams will also comprise BJP MPs & MLAs from the state, as well as senior government officials, besides office bearers of various district panchayats.

The teams will meet representatives of Gujarati Samaj in respective states, and also hold meetings with various NGOs to sensitise them about the drive to collect iron for the project.

“We will also meet chief ministers and other senior government functionaries and seek their help in the iron collection drive. Sardar Patel belongs to the entire country. We will welcome any help they give,” state government spokesperson Nitin Patel, said.

The government has estimated around 4,000 to 5,000 tonne iron would be needed for the project.

The government aims to collect a large part of this though voluntary contributions from farmers. It plans to collect one agricultural tool from each of the 6 lakh villages in the country. The massive campaign is also expected to benefit Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, in his election campaign.

According to officials, approximately 300 people will travel for the drive, with each team consisting of 15 people on an average. Most of the delegations will undertake the visits in the first and second week of December. Officials said the programme will be concluded by December 15.

Nitin Patel, who is also the finance minister, will head a 20-member strong contingent the biggest of them all to Uttar Pradesh. Revenue minister Anandi Patel is headed for Maharashtra, while energy minister Saurabh Patel is slated to go to Karnataka.

Among other ministers, education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma will travel to Punjab & Haryana, social justice & empowerment minister Ramanlal Vora will fly to Assam, while agriculture minister Babu Bokhiria is slated to go to Kerala.

“The ministers of state will also be heading some of the teams, while some of them will be part of other teams,” Nitin Patel said further.

Asked why MPs and MLAs of other parties have not been included in the travel plans, Patel said, “We had written to Congress, NCP, GPP and JD (U) seeking names of their MLAs for being a part of the delegations. However, Congress has not even responded to the letter. NCP MLA Kandhal Jadeja is a part of the team going to UP.”