``We have made a beginning by announcing power at concessional rate but shall keep the promise of providing it free of cost,'' said Thackeray as he laid the ground for the forthcoming assembly elections in the State.

He was addressing the farmers at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Bhama Industrial Township being developed and managed by the farmers of Bhamner region at Ambethan near Chakan under Shetkari Sanghatana leader Sharad Joshi.

Farmers have come together to float a company of their own which would develop the agricultural land and use for industrial development.

Complimenting the Shetkari Sanghatana for launching an altogether new farmers' movement, Thackeray made an impassioned appeal to the farmers to join hands with the ruling alliance.

``There have been differences between us, but now it is high-time that we resolved them,'' said Thackeray in the same breath as he promised that the government would extend all the possible support for all the activities for the development of farmers in the State.

He further spelt out the determination of the ruling combine to dole out more sops to the farmers in the coming days. ``Now that we have already decided to increase the procurement price of cotton, the announcement to this effect will be made before June,'' said the Sena chief.

``We have realised that farmers are the focal point of state's development," he said while reminding that he had earlier offered the Chief Minister's post to the farmers' leader Sharad Joshi. Thackeray also made caustic remarks against the Congress saying the latter only exploited the farmers during its term.

Speaking on the occasion Joshi, called the Bhama industrial township as a first step towards empowerment of farmers in the state and described it as their first attempt towards entrepreneurship.

Three years ago when the State Government through its Maharashra Industrial Development Act issued a notification of acquiring 2900 acres of land at Ambethan for development of industrial township under Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the farmers under the Shetkari Sanghatana decided to form their own company.

``With this, the farmer, who was earlier left with no option but to accept the stamp value as less as Re one or one and a half per square foot, will now be given a price around Rs 12 per square foot besides they will have their shares in the company,'' said Joshi.

Chief Minister Narayan Rane, said the Bhama industrial township will bring about economic empowerment of farmers of the region.

Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde said that alliance government was determined to ensure rapid development of the farmers in the State.

State Industries Minister Leeladhar Dake also spoke on the occasion.