Clear focus: Ashok Chavan, chief minister of Maharashtra
As the state’s chief administrator, are you going to be like a strict headmaster?
Yes. In my first tenure of nine months I had to face two major elections [to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha]. It was like going through an examination phase. I got very little time for administration. Now, as the government has got a full five-year term, it will be my endeavour to focus on long- and short-term policies in key sectors like education, health, energy, and home.
Do you think the NCP ministers will demand greater autonomy?
It's team work. Whether Congress or NCP, every minister has to be accountable and responsible towards the work. There are no problems with any of my cabinet colleagues.
You are not going to hold back files sent by NCP ministers?
I have never tried to play politics by holding back anyone’s files. The instances that were referred to in the past [public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal’s proposal to redevelop the Mantralaya precinct was held up by the chief minister] relate to decisions that I thought required more discussion.
Are you going to inculcate discipline among your ministers?
I have told all the ministers not to bring any file to me at the eleventh hour for clearance. I have suggested that every file should be placed before me for thorough scrutiny and discussion at least four days in advance. I am serious about this as it gives us time to decide which proposals are worth implementing.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh has asked his Union ministers to send him reports about the work done in their departments.
I am glad the prime minister has taken the initiative. If it works at the Centre, I am open to implement it in Maharashtra. In any case we have to regularly monitor the progress in every department.
In your plan for the next five years, you talk of an investment of Rs2,50,000 crore in the state? How realistic is this target?
It is achievable. We are also taking into account the investments that will come through the large number of special economic zones (SEZs). We have 141 SEZs.
But the biggest SEZ, owned by Mukesh Ambani in Raigad, has run into trouble.
It is an open-ended issue, which will be scrutinised again before a final decision is arrived at. I won’t say it has been shelved permanently.
But with political violence, is the climate conducive for investments in Maharashtra?
We are among the most favoured destinations for industrial investment in the country. The violence driven by regional groups cannot and will not be allowed to mar the state’s development.
Your aam aadmi is still struggling for dal roti? How do you propose to check inflation?
It is indeed a matter of great concern. We have streamlined the public distribution system where essential commodities are available at subsidised prices. But I must admit I cannot control the open market. The government is incurring a loss of Rs140 crore to subsidise food sold through ration shops. If I were to subside dal, sugar, and oil in the open market, the loss would run to Rs1,000 crore a month. We just cannot afford it.
Comments