Eknathrao alias Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (10 April 1932 – 30 December 2016) was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Kopargaon and Ahmednagar (South) cons*uency of Maharashtra and was a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party. He later joined Shivsena. He was a minister in the NDA. He was a prominent leader of Maharashtra and eldest son of Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, who started Asia's first Co-operative sugar factory at Loni in Maharashtra. He was awarded the prestigious civilian award Padma Bhushan on 31 March 2010 for his outstanding work in the field of Social Work.He was seven time MP, former Union Minister of State (Finance) and Union Cabinet Minister (Heavy Industries), Government of India.

Awards

• The Jeevan Sadhana Gaurav Award from Pune University for lifetime achievement in the field of education and rural development in 2007
• Padma Bhushan by Government of India on 31 March 2010 for his outstanding work in the field of Social Work.
• D.Sc - Doctor of Science Award awarded in the year 2013 by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.

References

External links

• Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website