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Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao lays out new government's plan for state in his speech

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Participation in prime minister Narendra Modi's ambitious 'Make in India' programme, stress on "minimum government, maximum governance", a network of expressways, affordable housing, boost for the IT sector in tier-II cities, reducing permissions for the set-up of industries, linking of rivers, and a review of all outdated laws and labour reforms.

These are some of the items on the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP's government's agenda as spelt out by governor CH Vidyasagar Rao before the two houses of the legislature on Wednesday.

In a speech marred by massive sloganeering and subsequent walkout by Congress legislators, five of whom have been suspended for manhandling him as he came to the Vidhan Bhavan, Rao said the government, which is reeling under a massive debt burden of over Rs3 lakh crore, "will issue a white paper mentioning present financial position of the state, accepted liabilities, future plans and necessary measures for more transparent and effective expenditure." The state will also encourage a witness protection programme.

"The present mandate has clearly indicated that people of Maharashtra want a change, ie speedy development of the state, and hence, awareness among voters has resulted in an increase in percentage of voting. My government is fully prepared to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of Maharashtra and fulfil the faith reposed in it," said Rao, adding that revenue deficit and power shortage were among the challenges.

The deemed conveyance procedures will also be simplified to help housing societies, and the state will adopt an integrated approach to improve mass transportation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which will include roads, metro and mono railways and waterways. It will push for water transport projects in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Konkan and ask the Centre to approve railway projects for which the state has agreed to share the cost.

"The objective of my government is 'minimum government, maximum governance' and, hence, the government is committed to deliver time-bound services to the citizens in a transparent manner," said Rao, adding that the government will enact a Delivery of Services Guarantee Act to ensure citizens get timely and efficient public services. The state will also ensure delegation and decentralisation of powers, simplification of laws and procedures, and self-certification by citizens, and will do away with unnecessary affidavits, and multiple permissions.

"The new government is committed to providing a citizen-centric administration. An e-portal and a mobile application 'Apale Sarkar' will be launched within the next 100 days. Through this portal and application, people can lodge their complaints and make suggestions," said the governor, while reiterating the commitment for construction of memorials for warrior-king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea and Babasaheb Ambedkar on the Indu Mill land.

The trans-harbour link, coastal road, e-tendering in public procurement, a special investigation team to probe atrocities against the weaker section, police modernisation, special women's squads for safety of women in public spaces, cancellation of the local body tax, enabling farmers to sell their produce to consumers, review of the water policy, and improvement in quality of river water were some of the issues which found a mention in the speech.

In tune with the Centre, the labour laws and inspection procedures will be reformed to boost employment and manufacturing but "without compromising on labour welfare". "The government intends to review all laws, outdated laws will be either modified or repealed. My government will complete this exercise within the next two years," he said.

"To boost the manufacturing sector in the state, the participation of Maharashtra will be more in 'Make in India'," said Rao, while promising new policies to attract investment in electronics, manufacturing, SEZ, export-oriented units, IT and agro, and food processing. A special policy for Naxal-affected areas to develop industries is also on the cards.

"In order to enhance investment in large-scale industries and give a boost to trade, my government will review outdated rules for setting up of new units by reducing the requisite permissions and bringing them on e-platform," he said, adding that a cell has been launched to ensure single-window clearance.

The state will also develop maximum smart cities in the state in the next five years in line with Modi's agenda.

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